Alabama offensive lineman Lester Cotton (66) and offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) line up against Southern California during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, senior defensive end Jonathan Allen and coach Nick Saban led Alabama’s hardware haul Wednesday as the Southeastern Conference announced its individual award winners for the 2016 season.
In a vote of the SEC’s coaches, Hurts won the league’s offensive player of the year, Allen the defensive player of the year and Saban the coach of the year. Hurts also was tabbed SEC freshman of the year, while Crimson Tide junior left tackle Cam Robinson won the Jacobs Trophy as the league’s premier blocker.
Hurts is the first true freshman to be named SEC offensive player of the year since the conference split its honors into offensive and defensive categories in 2003. The last true freshman to win SEC player of the year was Georgia tailback Herschel Walker in 1980.
Allen, who already has claimed the Nagurski Trophy and the Ted Hendricks Award, has tallied 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as part of a defense that leads the nation in fewest yards allowed (247.8), fewest rushing yards allowed (63.4) and fewest points allowed (11.8). He also has returned two fumbles for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Saban is 111-12 since the start of the 2008 season and has a chance to lead the Crimson Tide to their fifth national championship in eight years. Alabama faces Washington in the Peach Bowl national semifinal on New Year’s Eve.