Photo CW / Sam MacDonald Photo illustration CW / MK Holladay MINKAH FITZPATRICK 3 CW / Sam MacDonald EDITORIAL STAFF editor-in-chief Elizabeth Elkin RONNIE CLARK 4 [email protected] managing editor Sam West digital editor Jake Stevens production editor Nick Privitera visuals editor MK Holladay chief copy editor Alise Wenner opinions editor Marissa Cornielius [email protected] news editor Rebecca Rakowitz [email protected] culture editor Ellen Johnson [email protected] sports editor Matthew Speakman [email protected] CW / Sam MacDonald photo editor Caroline Japal PLAYERS TO WATCH 5 multimedia editor David Jones lead page designer Shana Oshinskie engagement editor Meg Magee social media editor Michaela Hancock ADVERTISING STAFF ad representatives Trent Wilson Lauren McDowell Lizzie Mizenko Jack Amthor creative services Serenity Lamprakes Alexis Craft CW / Hannah Saad GAMEDAY 2017 PAGE 3 Minkah Fitzpatrick is Alabama’s leader in the secondary, and has played mutiple positions for Alabama. All photos CW / Sam MacDonaldMacDonald Minkah Fitzpatrick quietly leads the defense By Cody Estremera | Assistant Sports Editor think that yelling at people and second in quarterback hurries and doing stuff like that as a teammate third in pass breakups. After being named to eight (works),” Fitzpatrick said. “As a “Having a guy like Minkah really in preseason watch lists, all eyes were coach it works because he can’t a game like this really helps it because on Minkah Fitzpatrick coming really lead by example. But as a there are a lot of matchup issues,” into the season. Just five games player, I think it’s more beneficial for coach Nick Saban said. “When they in, Fitzpatrick continues to draw somebody who is doing what they’re have four or five receivers on the more attention. supposed to be doing on and off the field, if you play five defensive backs According to Ben Baby of The field and just letting people follow.” that’s probably not enough. If you Dallas Morning News, Texas A&M However, Shaun Dion Hamilton play six, maybe you match up a little coach Kevin Sumlin said Fitzpatrick and Fitzpatrick are the vocal leaders bit better. But maybe you have some is “one of the best players in the when needed. other issues when it comes to other country” and should be a Heisman “We had moments during camp things you want to defend. So when Trophy candidate this year. where we had to say stuff and make you have players like Minkah, it gives The New Jersey native has been a sure everybody’s doing what they’re you the diversity to do some of these starter all three years he has been supposed to be doing, keeping their things. He’s very good at it because on campus, making him the leader of mind right, and people listen because of the adaptability. He’s smart, the secondary. we do what we’re supposed to do,” he can learn multiple tasks with “He does everything. He’s one of Fitzpatrick said. minimal reps.” the main guys for the communica- Alabama has dominated its last two tions, especially for us corners,” cor- games, allowing just three points. FITZPATRICK BY THE NUMBERSERS nerback Anthony Averett said. “We Fitzpatrick was all over the field in communicate with the safeties. A those two games, tying career high lot of people don’t really notice what in pass breakups with two against he’s doing, but he sets the edges. He Vanderbilt and setting a new career 23 tackles does a lot of the dirty work a lot of high in tackles with eight against Ole people don’t notice, so he does pretty Miss. He also added one of the five much everything for us.” sacks against Ole Miss, which was 2.5 tackles for loss This year’s defense does not have his first sack of the year. the one vocal guy, like it has in past Fitzpatrick is a jack of all trades in years. Leading by example, and using the defensive scheme. He normally words when necessary has worked so lines up as the strong-safety, but is 3 pass defl ections far for the Crimson Tide. also used as a third corner. This has “When issues are getting out helped Fitzpatrick become one of the of hand or somebody’s not doing leaders on the defense. what they’re supposed to be doing, Fitzpatrick is in a four-way tie for 5 career touchdownss multiple people will approach them tackles on the team at 23. He has a and then get on them. But I don’t team leading 14 solo tackles and is PAGE 4 GAMEDAY 2017 Ronnie Clark fi nally gets his chance to shine By Matthew Speakman | Sports Editor “Ronnie Clark has been, to me, the consummate, ultimate great story Alabama cruised into the endzone about any program and what col- with 6:51 remaining in the fourth lege football should be all about,” quarter to take a 63-point lead over Saban said. “Here’s a guy that has the Ole Miss Rebels. The touchdown done everything that anyone could seemed irrelevant. Just another ever ask as a teammate and contrib- touchdown to show how much bet- uted to the team in whatever way he ter Alabama was than Ole Miss on could, regardless of how much acco- that day. lade that may have brought him.” While this touchdown seemed Speak to anybody and they’ll have insignificant to some, it hit home for positive things to say about Clark. Alabama players. They saw Ronnie His value reaches beyond the foot- Clark, who has dealt with adversity ball field. Even though he is not his entire Alabama career, sprint one of the stars on the team, he nine yards for his first career touch- still provides leadership around the down. Alabama’s sideline could not program. Almost no one has been contain its excitement. around as long as Clark. For Clark, “When a guy has an opportunity it’s not about when he gets to see the to score a touchdown, I think a lot field, it’s about doing whatever he of people were very, very excited can to help the team. for him,” Alabama head coach Nick “Ronnie’s one of those dudes that Saban said. “So excited that we really he cares about everyone, like every- could have gotten a penalty because body,” Alabama running back Josh the guys ran out on the field without Jacobs said. “He doesn’t care if he their helmet on.” gets to shine or anything. When I first Clark came to Alabama in 2014. came in, he kind of took me under his He ranked as the No. 70 player out wing and like taught to me the plays. of high school and as the No. 5 out- For him, it was kind of appreciation, side linebacker in the country. When like he kind of deserved it. That’s Clark got to Alabama, things did kind of where we were. So everybody not necessarily go as planned. He was just happy for him.” suffered an achilles tear that first That is why Alabama players season. Two years later, he tore his erupted when Clark scored a other achilles. touchdown. It wasn’t about run- ning up the score. It was about seeing a guy who has given everything he can to Alabama Ronnie Clark has football finally get recognized for his achievements. After the been, to me, the game, running back Damien Harris said it was his “favor- consummate, ite moment of his career.” Many teammates were just ultimate great as excited. “That was amazing,” story about any tight end Hale Hentges said. “We all love Ronnie program. Clark to death, and he’s been a valuable contribu- tor to our team and he’s gone through hell since he’s - Nick Saban been here with injuries and things like that; We were so excited, as you can see. Everyone on the side- line was swarming him. Ronnie Clark He has fought back this season and deserved that. We’re really glad that has been able to contribute in prac- he ended up scoring.” tice. Due to Alabama’s dominance, Whether he sees the field or not Clark has seen some action late in on Saturday, Clark is going to do all games. He has 70 yards on 15 carries he can to help the team prepare for so far this season. Texas A&M. His touchdown against Saban said every team needs a guy Ole Miss will remain a special like Clark to show other players what moment not only for his career, but being a teammate really means. for the teammates around him. RONNIE CLARK BY THE NUMBERS 70 yards this season 9-yard touchdown run is the fi rst of his fi ve-year career Was ranked the No. 70 player out of high school Ronnie Clark has overcome two achilles injuries to contribute for Alabama. CW / Sam MacDonald GAMEDAY 2017 PAGE 5 PLAYERS TO WATCH By James Ogletree and Joe Klingbeil | CW Staff ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE CB Levi Wallace There are few storylines this year in Alabama football more inspiring than Levi Wallace’s ascension from a walk-on with zero scholarship offers to starting left cornerback. The senior hasn’t just started games, though; he has excelled. He has been named defensive player of the week three times in five games by the Alabama coaching staff, the only player on the team to receive such honors. Of his SEC-leading three interceptions, two came last week against Ole Miss, the first of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown.