The ballot for this season’s Pro Bowl released by the NFL on Tuesday includes 77 players with Alabama football roots.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pro Bowl will not be played as scheduled in January. But the NFL still is selecting the rosters for the annual all-star game as usual – and this time, there won’t be any dropouts due to injuries or Super Bowl participation.
The players from Alabama high schools and colleges on the Pro Bowl ballot this season include:
Quarterback: Nick Mullens (Spain Park), 49ers; Cam Newton (Auburn), Patriots; Philip Rivers (Athens), Colts; Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Dolphins.
Running back: Kenyan Drake (Alabama), Cardinals; Damien Harris (Alabama), Patriots; Derrick Henry (Alabama), Titans; Mark Ingram (Alabama), Ravens; Josh Jacobs (Alabama), Raiders; J.D. McKissic (Central-Phenix City), Washington.
Wide receiver: Amari Cooper (Alabama), Cowboys; Tyreek Hill (West Alabama), Chiefs; Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), Broncos; Julio Jones (Foley, Alabama), Falcons; Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City), Bears; Calvin Ridley (Alabama), Falcons; Henry Ruggs III (Lee-Montgomery, Alabama); Cam Sims (Alabama), Washington; Darius Slayton (Auburn), Giants.
Fullback: Chandler Cox (Auburn), Dolphins.
Tight end: Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama), Vikings.
Offensive tackle: D.J. Fluker (Foley, Alabama), Ravens; Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State); Cam Robinson (Alabama), Jaguars; Jonah Williams (Alabama), Bengals; Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Browns.
Guard: Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama), Ravens; James Carpenter (Alabama), Falcons; Braden Smith (Auburn), Colts.
Center: Rodney Hudson (B.C. Rain), Raiders; Ben Jones (Bibb County), Titans; Ryan Kelly (Alabama), Colts.
Defensive end: Mario Addison (Tarrant, Troy), Bills; Josh Allen (Abbeville), Jaguars; Carl Lawson (Auburn), Bengals.
Defensive tackle: Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Washington; Angelo Blackson (Auburn), Cardinals; Derrick Brown (Auburn), Panthers; Byron Cowart (Auburn), Patriots; Raekwon Davis (Alabama), Dolphins; Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City), Buccaneers; Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama), Washington; Jarran Reed (Alabama), Seahawks; Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama), Giants; Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama), Jets.
Inside linebacker: Josh Bynes (Auburn), Bengals; Zach Cunningham (Pinson Valley), Texans; Rashaan Evans (Auburn High, Alabama), Titans.
Outside linebacker: Anfernee Jennings (Alabama), Patriots; Nicholas Morrow (Huntsville), Raiders; Malik Reed (Dothan), Broncos; Za’Darius Smith (Greenville), Packers; Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama), Browns.
Cornerback: James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford), Giants; Malcolm Butler (West Alabama), Titans; Carlton Davis (Auburn), Buccaneers; Jamel Dean (Auburn), Buccaneers; Trevon Diggs (Alabama), Cowboys; Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama), Ravens; Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama), Saints; Dre Kirkpatrick (Gadsden City, Alabama), Cardinals; Levi Wallace (Alabama), Bills; Darious Williams (UAB), Rams.
Strong safety: Ronnie Harrison (Alabama), Browns; Eddie Jackson (Alabama), Bears; Kareem Jackson (Alabama), Broncos; Daniel Thomas (Lee-Montgomery, Auburn), Jaguars.
Free safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Steelers; Bobby McCain (Oxford), Steelers; Jimmie Ward (Davidson), 49ers.
Kicker: Daniel Carlson (Auburn), Raiders; Cody Parkey (Auburn), Browns.
Long snapper: Josh Harris (Auburn), Falcons; Cole Mazza (Alabama), Chargers.
Punter: Ty Long (UAB), Chargers; JK Scott (Alabama), Packers.
Special teamer: Rudy Ford (New Hope, Auburn), Eagles.
Among this season’s nominated players from Alabama high schools and colleges, Philip Rivers has been selected for eight Pro Bowls and Julio Jones has been selected for seven.
Fans can vote online for their Pro Bowl favorites through Dec. 17.
Voting also take place via “Madden NFL 21” and “Madden NFL 21” Mobile on consoles.
From Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, fans can vote via Twitter by tweeting the first and last names of a player, tagging the player’s Twitter handle or creating a hashtag from the player’s first and last name. All three methods must include “#ProBowlVote.”
NFL players and coaches will make their Pro Bowl selections on Dec. 18.
The selections made by fans, players and coaches will count one-third apiece toward determining the Pro Bowl rosters for the AFC and NFC teams.
After the all-stars are selected, virtual Pro Bowl games will be played in “Madden NFL 21” in matchups featuring celebrities, former NFL stars, current players and professional gamers. EA Sports also will drop Pro Bowl content in-game so players can stage their own Pro Bowls.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
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