Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron looks for an open receiver behind his blockers as Mississippi State defensive lineman P.J. Jones during their game in Starkville, Miss., in this file photo.It's not the biggest senior class in Alabama football history, but it's second to none as far as its ring collection.
Before the top-ranked Crimson Tide kick off their home finale Saturday afternoon against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, there will be 16 seniors recognized. Several, such as quarterback AJ McCarron, guard Anthony Steen, defensive end Ed Stinson and backup linebacker Tana Patrick, redshirted in 2009 when Alabama won the BCS championship and have since been a part of two other national-title teams.
"I've really enjoyed the relationships that we have," Tide coach Nick Saban said this week, "and hopefully we're contributing in a positive way to help them develop personally, academically and athletically. When the thing comes on Saturday, it is a little bit emotional for me, because I can't believe how fast the time goes by."
McCarron, who is on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, is 35-2 as the Tide's starting quarterback and can break Jay Barker's school record for victories with a win over the Mocs. Linebacker C.J. Mosley has been named SEC defensive player of the week on two straight occasions, but there are less-heralded members of this senior class who have helped in Alabama's extensive reign as the nation's premier program.
For starters, punter Cody Mandell is averaging 47.3 yards a kick and Cade Foster has made 11 of 12 field-goal attempts with a long of 53.
"I had one goal in mind -- to start as a true freshman," Mandell told reporters this week. "I came in expecting to be an underdog. I started the first game, so I think I proved it to the coaching staff that I was worthy of the job."
Mandell is looking to set a school standard for a second consecutive year after averaging 44.3 yards a punt last season, but Foster had connected on just 48.1 percent of his field-goal attempts entering this season. Foster was 1-for-4 in Alabama's memorable 9-6 overtime loss to visiting LSU in 2011.
"Both of them have played significant roles here -- Cody for four years and Cade for three or four," Saban said. "Both have improved dramatically. Cade has been a really good kickoff guy and has improved his accuracy in field goals, and Cody has gotten a little better every year to where he's a very good punter right now.
"Both guys have shown a lot of maturity and have made significant improvements throughout their careers."
While McCarron is the unquestioned leader of the offense, Steen heads the offensive line and is McCarron's roommate on road trips. Alabama's line stumbled out of the gate this season against Virginia Tech, but the Crimson Tide quickly recovered and have averaged 445.7 yards and 38.8 points per game.
Steen was one of two returning starters on the offensive front.
"He's played really, really well for us all year long and has been consistent in his performance," Saban said. "A lot of the players respect him, and he certainly sets a good example every day for other players to emulate, which is a critical piece to being a good leader. I also think he cares in a very quiet way about helping the other guys develop.
"He may not be a rah-rah guy in a lot of ways, but I do think he's had a significant impact on that group."
Kevin Norwood leads Alabama's diverse receiving corps with 409 yards, Deion Belue has been the team's top cornerback, and several seniors have been at their best in the biggest games. Kenny Bell had a 51-yard touchdown reception against Texas A&M, and backup tailback Jalston Fowler had two of his four short touchdown receptions at the expense of Texas A&M and LSU.
And then there's Patrick, who made a strip of LSU fullback J.C. Copeland at Alabama's 1-yard line that caused a fumble the Crimson Tide recovered.
"I remember going into the houses of these guys," Saban said. "It seems like it was yesterday, and now they've been here, had success and are about to be gone."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.