Alabama football lands 3 players on preseason AP All-American teams

Alabama football lands 3 players on preseason AP All-American teams

Alabama football landed three players on Associated Press preseason All-American teams, released on Monday. Defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry, edge rusher Dallas Turner and offensive tackle JC Latham all made the cut.

McKinstry was Alabama’s only first-team selection. He was one of the nation’s top cornerbacks last season, when he made the AP’s third-team All-American squad.

The junior from Pinson Valley had an interception in 2022, along with 35 tackles and 16 pass breakups. He also had a sack.

Latham, the Crimson Tide’s lone offensive representative on the All-American squad, was named to the second team. Latham started all 13 games at right tackle for Alabama last season.

The now-junior Latham had 29 knockdown blocks last season. He was voted first-team preseason all-SEC at the conference’s media days in July, along with McKinstry and Turner.

Latham returns as one of the Tide’s more experienced offensive lineman this season. He has bulked up throughout the offseason, getting up to 360 pounds.

Turner, a junior, was also a second-team selection for the All-American team. He starred at edge last season opposite Will Anderson, racking up 37 tackles with four sacks.

He’s been a major presence for the Tide after being forced into action his freshman season. Turner will look to take an even bigger role this season with Anderson gone to the NFL.

The All-American team was selected by voters in the AP’s Top 25 poll. That poll, released Aug. 14, tabbed Alabama as the No. 4 team in the country.

It was the Crimson Tide’s lowest debut on the AP poll since the 2009 season, which of course ended up as Nick Saban’s first national championship team in Tuscaloosa.