Five former Alabama players named to PFWA 2021 All-Rookie Team

As the NFL Playoffs move forward, the Pro Football Writers Association begins announcing its regular season honors for 2021. The first list included the best of this year’s rookie class, which saw five former Alabama players headline the prestigious PFWA All-Rookie team.

Alabama led all schools with five former players on the PFWA All-Rookie team with all playing a major role in the 2020 national championship run. Florida, Northwestern, Oregon and Penn State followed behind with two selections each. Other schools represented include North Carolina, LSU, Tennessee, USC, Oklahoma on offense. Michigan, Miami, Missouri, Notre Dame, and TCU are represented on defense and Georgia Tech, Iowa State, UCLA and Iowa joined on special teams.

Mac Jones, Najee Harris and Jaylen Waddle headlined the offense after becoming three of six Alabama players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fellow first round draft pick Patrick Surtain II represented the defense along with second round pick Christian Barmore.

Among Alabama’s notable exclusions from the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie team, Heisman Trophy winner and first round wide receiver DeVonta Smith stands out. Fellow first round draft pick Alex Leatherwood did not make the list either, along with offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Deonte Brown who were selected later in the draft. Alabama’s 10th draft selection who did not make the list is long snapper Thomas Fletcher.

2021 Rookie of the Year awards

Rookie of the Year – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Offensive Rookie of the Year – Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Defensive Rookie of the Year – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team

Offense

QB – Mac Jones, New England Patriots (Alabama)

RB – Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (Alabama)

RB – Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (North Carolina)

WR – Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (LSU)

WR – Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Alabama)

TE – Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (Florida)

T – Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers (Northwestern)

T – Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions (Oregon)

G – Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (Tennessee)

G – Alijah Vera-Tucker, New York Jets (USC)

C – Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs (Oklahoma)

Defense

DL – Christian Barmore, New England Patriots (Alabama)

DL – Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens (Penn State)

DL – Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts (Michigan)

DL – Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins (Miami)

LB – Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs (Missouri)

LB – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns (Notre Dame)

LB – Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys (Penn State)

CB – Greg Newsome II, Cleveland Browns (Northwestern)

CB – Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos (Alabama)

S – Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins (Oregon)

S – Tre’Von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders (TCU)

Special Teams

K – Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals (Florida)

P – Pressley Harvin III, Pittsburgh Steelers (Georgia Tech)

KR – Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota Vikings (Iowa State)

PR – Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (UCLA)

ST – Nick Niemann, Los Angeles Chargers (Iowa)