Patrick Surtain
FILE - Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, file photo. Patrick Surtain II and Mac Jones had the spotlight at Alabama's Pro Day, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Jones, Smith, Harris reconnect at Alabama's pro day No. 2

By John Zenor Mar. 30, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) makes an interception that he returned for a touchdown against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, file photo. Surtain used Alabama's first pro day on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, to show he deserves to be considered at the top of a very competitive class of draft picks. Surtain, rated as the top cornerback in the draft, posted unofficial times of 4.42 and 4.44 seconds in the 40-yard dash before NFL scouts and coaches at Alabama's indoor practice facility. (Gary Cosby Jr.//The Tuscaloosa News via AP, File)
Surtain shows off speed on Alabama's competitive pro day

By Charles Odum Mar. 23, 2021 03:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban leads the team to the field before an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday, March 19, 2021l with an immediate goal. Along with winning another national championship, that is. For now, they need to find replacements for three of college football's top offensive weapons. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
Playmakers wanted: Defending champ Alabama replacing stars

By John Zenor Mar. 19, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore celebrates after a tackle against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Jones among 4 Alabama underclassmen declaring for NFL draft

By John Zenor Jan. 14, 2021 04:18 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood hold the trophy after their win against Ohio State in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Alabama's Nick Saban already working on chasing title No. 8

By John Zenor Jan. 12, 2021 11:25 AM EST

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) looks on against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Two of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Shaun Wade of Ohio State and Patrick Surtain of Alabama, will have their hands full on Monday night in South Florida. They are possibly the No. 1 and No. 2 NFL prospects at the position — which one is best is a matter of debate that the national championship game could help settle. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Top cornerbacks will play crucial role in championship game

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 07, 2021 05:26 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tackled by Ohio State defensive end Tyreke Smith during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NFL prospects everywhere in Alabama-Ohio State title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2021 02:28 AM EST

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book throws a pass against Clemson during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP, File)
No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame move CFP clash to Texas

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2020 03:55 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly directs his team during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, File
Notre Dame seeking a jumpstart against Alabama in CFP semi

By John Fineran Dec. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) works against Florida during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Explosive trio leads Alabama into College Football Playoffs

By John Zenor Dec. 28, 2020 04:39 PM EST

FILE - Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) is shown in action in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., in this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, file photo. Christensen was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alabama's Jones, Smith, Harris lead 6 Tide AP All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2020 12:00 PM EST

FILE - Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (23) runs back an interception for a score against South Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tampa, Fla., in this Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, file photo. Zaven Collins is a small-town player with big-time talent. He was overlooked after a stellar high school career in Hominy, Okla., a town with about 3,500 people. He’s got the nation’s attention now -- the 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker is a finalist for the Butkus and Nagurski Awards. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Tulsa LB Zaven Collins wins Nagurski Trophy

The Associated Press Dec. 23, 2020 02:56 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban, center, watches play against Florida during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
AP All-SEC: No. 1 Alabama leads the way for top awards

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 23, 2020 01:18 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence rushes for a touchdown against Notre Dame during third-quarter action in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Clemson's Lawrence, Alabama stars Maxwell Award finalists

By The Associated Press Dec. 22, 2020 06:17 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban celebrates victory against Florida after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. Alabama won 52-46. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
SEC coaches name DeVonta Smith offensive player of year

Dec. 22, 2020 11:52 AM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team warm up before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama at Florida 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 08:07 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass as Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten (31) tries to tackle him during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. , in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. The Southeastern Conference championship game features two of the nation’s top playmakers, and neither is a quarterback. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are the real stars of the league’s most potent offenses. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Smith, Pitts are the real stars of SEC's Alabama, Florida

By Mark Long Dec. 15, 2020 04:02 PM EST