Pair of Alabama Alums Make History Tonight in Brazil

2018 was a pretty good season for Alabama Football; a 12-0 regular season with highlights such as a 29-0 triumph at Death Valley in Baton Rouge. The regular season ended with a resounding 52-21 rout in the Iron Bowl at home. But the winning wasn’t confined to the regular season; Alabama continued its run in Atlanta, Georgia, winning the SEC Championship on the back of Jalen Hurts’ heroics. The Tide cruised into the College Football Playoff with the number 1 seed, and backed it up with a double-digit victory over Oklahoma. Clemson would get the better of them in the National Championship Game, but the season remained successful nonetheless.

Two of the pillars on that 2018 squad were RB Josh Jacobs and S Xavier McKinney. Jacobs, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, shared backfield time with another soon-to-be NFL player in Damien Harris. Harris was the workhorse on the ground, leading the team in both carries (150) and rushing yards (876). Jacobs led the team in rushing scores (11 to Harris’ 9), and used his impressive versatility to diversify Alabama’s attack (247 rec. yards, 3 TDs).

Xavier McKinney was a leader on the other side of the ball. The Roswell, Georgia product entered his Sophomore season in 2018, one year behind Jacobs, who, as a Junior, was playing his last college campaign. This defense was full of NFL-level talent at all three levels, including the likes of Quinnen Williams, Patrick Surtain II, and Trevon Diggs. McKinney was near the lead in a number of categories: he ranked third in total tackles, fourth in solo, and led all DBs with 3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss.

Both went on to get drafted early in their respective drafts. Josh Jacobs went 24th overall in 2019 to the Oakland Raiders, where he would have immediate success. In his rookie campaign, Jacobs established himself as a cornerstone of the Raider offense, amassing 1150 rushing yards and 7 TDs. He would rush for 1000+ yards twice more in his next four seasons, adding an additional 39 rushing scores. This past offseason, he signed a 4 year, $48 million dollar deal with the Packers.

Xavier McKinney’s dreams came true the next year. The New York Giants took him 36th overall in 2020, though he had less of an immediate impact. Sitting behind reliable starters Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers, McKinney played only 6 games in his debut campaign. He came into his own the following year, playing in all 17 games and recording 5 interceptions. Though an injury hampered his production in 2022, McKinney is still one of the more well-regarded safeties in the league. He, too, signed with Green Bay this offseason, though he will get $67 million over 4 seasons. McKinney will have an important role in Green Bay as a mentor in a young safety room.

The pair of Alabama alums are expected to have a huge impact on the Packers this season. They play their first game tonight, against the Philadelphia Eagles, in São Paulo, Brazil (8:15 PM EST, Peacock). These teams will be the first to ever play an NFL game overseas in Brazil. Plus, the Crimson Tide’s impact will be felt not only in Green and Gold. Eagles’ starting QB Jalen Hurts will be joined by WR Devonta Smith and C Landon Dickerson in the starting lineup for Philadelphia.