The College Football Playoff National Championship is upon us. It’s finally here, with the best two teams in the country set to square off for all the marbles. The embarrassment of riches that is the collective roster of Alabama vs. Georgia is a fun one to sift through. Here are the top 20 college football players across each team and what to expect from them in the 2021-2022 National Championship.
Top 20 players in the Alabama vs. Georgia College Football Playoff National Championship | 11-20
The Alabama vs. Georgia rematch comes with a bevy of matchups across the field between top-flight talent. As such, nailing down the top 20 players from both collective rosters was no easy task. But here we are.
20) James Cook and Zamir White, RBs, Georgia
The two-headed monster that is James Cook and Zamir White is a formidable one. Cook, the more reliable of the duo through the air, wins with sharp cuts and increasing speed as he gets upfield. White breaks away from arm tackles and has tremendous vision. They have their work cut out for them after rushing for just north of 50 yards the last time these two teams met.
19) Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama
Though he didn’t have a ton of success the last time they met, Brian Robinson Jr. is fresh off the best performance of his career. Robinson ran for a career-high 204 yards against Cincinnati. Yet, he was held out of the end zone. Robinson will have to cash in against a tough Georgia defense once they get to the red zone for Alabama to have a chance at their second victory over the Bulldogs this year.
18) DeMarcco Hellams, S, Alabama
The other Alabama safety, DeMarcco Hellams has made his presence known all year long, especially against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game when he intercepted a pass and recorded a pass breakup. Hellams has great range and hits with a vengeance. He’s shown up in big games this year, and odds point to him having another game-changing play against the Bulldogs.
17) Jamaree Salyer, OT, Georgia
Georgia’s left tackle has been great since returning from injury. Jamaree Salyer has been a constant force when he’s on the field.
The last time these two teams met, Salyer was returning from injury, having not played a game since Week 9 against Florida. With the Michigan game under his belt, Salyer is seasoned and looking for revenge.
16) Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
With 3 interceptions to his credit this year, Jalyn Armour-Davis has still flown relatively under the radar. He missed the SEC Championship Game and logged just a handful of snaps in the Cotton Bowl against Cincinnati. If he’s fully healthy, look for JAD to make a big impact on this game with his coverage skills and ability to blanket a variety of receivers.
15) Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
Remarkably consistent this season, Nolan Smith has recorded multiple plays on the quarterback in seemingly every game. He wins with a variety of pass-rush moves as well as his speed to get to the passer. Making matters even more difficult at times, Smith can drop back in coverage from his stand-up pass-rush stance. He’s a mystery to try and solve for offensive coordinators.
14) Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
Used sparingly due to their stacked defensive roster, Channing Tindall is perhaps one of the best under-the-radar prospects in some time. Tindall makes play after play when he is on the field. It doesn’t matter whether it’s blitzing the quarterback or in coverage from sideline to sideline — Tindall can do it all.
13) Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Phidarian Mathis is a problem for offenses to contend with. He’s a big man with mean intentions. When he gets his hands on offensive linemen, expect him to win the battle more often than not. He’s a run-stuffing presence to boot, but Mathis’ bread and butter is his elite pass-rushing skills.
12) Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Playing a violent game, Lewis Cine makes offenses remember him with ferocious hits and keen instincts. Cine plays downhill and plays it well. He also possesses great ball skills and has a knack for finding the football. Also going in his favor is the fact that he wants revenge. It was arguably his worst performance of the season the last time these two teams met.
11) Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Nearly impossible to separate these two safeties, Jordan Battle checks in just above Cine. Battle also plays downhill, but he has an advantage in coverage. He breaks on the ball with tremendous speed and has positional versatility in his bag. Battle can line up all over the field but excels when he’s in the box. He’ll stop the run game and belittle receivers with his larger-than-life game in coverage.
Top 20 players in the Alabama vs. Georgia College Football Playoff National Championship | 1-10
Who rounds out the list of the top players in the 2021-2022 CFP National Championship?
10) Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
At any given time, Quay Walker can take over the game. A massive man at 6’4″, 240 pounds, Walker actually plays smaller when he needs to. He’ll squeeze through the tiniest of run gaps to stuff the ball carrier as well as drop back in coverage and patrol the middle of the field beautifully. Walker is a three-down linebacker made for today’s college football.
9) Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
One of three interior defensive linemen for Georgia on this list, Devonte Wyatt is an experienced veteran on a young front. Wyatt has four years of experience at the highest level and has saved his best football for his final season. He’s a brilliant run stopper but shines when he utilizes his hands and a quick first step for a man his size when rushing the passer.
8) Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
There’s a high possibility that Evan Neal gets drafted way before anyone else on this list in the 2022 NFL Draft. His prowess at left tackle will be highly sought after for OT-needy teams in the top 10.
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Still, his place at No. 8 on this list is only an indication of just how talented this game actually is with players at every position. Neal’s a sound pass protector and a mauler in the run game. He’s the complete package and an elite one at that.
7) Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
They may only match up against one another once or twice in this one, but when Jordan Davis goes against Evan Neal, prepare for the seismographs to go off. At 6’6″, 340 pounds, few men on this planet make Davis inferior in a size challenge. The best part about Davis, however, is the fact that he plays with nimble feet, quick hands, and tremendous instincts.
6) Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Perhaps the best member of the Georgia defensive line has yet to really have a breakout performance this season. Jalen Carter is Warren Sapp 2.0 and should be considered must-watch television when he’s on the field. Though kept quiet down the stretch of the season, Carter is in line for a breakout performance. No better time than now to do that, Jalen. He’s got every tool that a speed rusher would have at his disposal, combined with his massive size and terrific athleticism.
5) Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Let’s face it, we’re all Brock Bowers fans, except most of you don’t know it yet. The kid with the big hands and faster feet is an anomaly. He’s 6’4″ and plays like a receiver. Bowers is a 4.4 40-yard-dash athlete who runs like a track star. He catches everything and makes anyone miss after the catch. Bowers is not only the 2024 NFL Draft class’ top tight end — he may make a case for the highest tight end ever drafted by the time it is all said and done.
4) Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
It’s remarkable that Jameson Williams was once on the Ohio State roster. It seems like such a long time ago that he transferred to Alabama. All he’s done since is make the finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and lead the nation in plays of 50 yards or more. He’s a big-play threat with precise routes and elite ball-tracking skills.
Williams will eventually be drafted as high as his former teammates in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. But unlike Wilson and Olave, Williams has one final game to put on a show. If he plays to his potential, he’ll steal that show.
3) Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
As strong as an ox and as quick as a gazelle, players would give anything for just one of Nakobe Dean‘s elite athletic gifts. Dean goes sideline to sideline with the best instincts in college football. And he’ll not meet a player stronger than he is. Dean is physically gifted, but he also possesses keen smarts and quick decision-making processes that help him sniff plays out before the ball is even snapped. Youth linebackers, watch Dean pre-snap to unlock brilliance at the position.
2) Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The man who could challenge his own quarterback for the Heisman Trophy next season, Will Anderson Jr. may have been the best player in all of college football this past season. Anderson was a terror in the SEC Championship Game. He was pressuring UGA QB Stetson Bennett seemingly at will.
Anderson has disrupted his fair share of games over his brilliant 2021 campaign. Look for him to put a final stamp on possibly the best edge defender season that no one is talking about.
1) Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The first-ever Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman is the clear-cut No. 1 player in the CFP National Championship Game. Bryce Young made Georgia’s defense look like it was a level below him the last time they met, but he’s done that to just about every defense he’s faced this season. Young plays far beyond his years and has been incredibly poised in the face of pressure. He has every throw in his arsenal and plenty of arm strength to boot.
Young dazzles in the pocket and slings anticipatory throws with the best of them. No player should have a bigger impact in the title game than Young. And that certainly favors Alabama.
