Alabama Football: Crimson Tide's Best Performers of 2011

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 6-0 on the season and ranked second in the latest AP poll. As with any team, there have been many great individuals leading the way to this success. 

Plenty of these players will be up for awards at the end of the season, but we can't wait that long.

So, let's take a look at the five best performers for the Crimson Tide this season.

5: Dont'a Hightower

No player was happier to see 2011 come than Dont'a Hightower. Playing at a weight he wouldn’t care to admit last season, 2010 was a struggle. 

This season, the knee is back close to 100 percent, Hightower looks fit and has performed very well.

Dont’a leads the Tide with 34 tackles this season. He only has .5 sacks on the season, but Hightower has certainly let his presence be known to quarterbacks.

Alabama does not release quarterback hits as a statistic, but Hightower has 4.5 tackles for loss on the season.  

4: Courtney Upshaw

Count Courtney Upshaw among the players who are glad to be healthy this year.

Last season, a high ankle sprain held him below 100 percent for much of the season.

This year, Courtney has been the most consistent force along the defensive line. He’s only accumulated 1.5 sacks on the year but has done a good job of affecting the quarterback.

Upshaw has an impressive 8.5 tackles for loss, showing that this pass-rusher doesn’t take first and second down off. 

3: Mark Barron

Statistically speaking, Mark Barron is on pace for his lowest numbers since becoming a starter at Alabama.

Don’t be fooled, though. Barron is playing at a higher level than ever. 

Due to other playmakers on the defense and the fact that Alabama’s defense rarely has to finish a game, Barron’s numbers are naturally lower. 

Keen observers will notice however, that Barron has been flying all over the field, laying some big hits in the process. It is the discipline shown this year by Barron that has been most impressive. 

Along with the good, there has been some bad from Barron in the past. Bad positioning and poor angles have previously led to big plays.

This season, Barron always seems to be in the right place and is leading the best statistical defense in the country.

Having more experience around him has allowed Barron to concentrate less on his teammates and more on his play. 

2: Barrett Jones

No flashy statistics to dish out here; the guy just gets the job done.

Barrett Jones has adjusted nicely to the new position of left tackle after questions of where he would play this season. He has lined up at tackle, guard and center this season.

Jones is probably the best option at every position on Alabama’s offensive line, which is why he moved around so much early, in an attempt to find the best five starters. 

For a man who is arguably Alabama’s best player, no one has had to sacrifice more than Jones.

Although performing well at tackle, it is assumed by most that Jones will end up back at guard in the NFL. Jones has taken the position switch in stride and led a very productive offensive line this season. 

1: Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson’s season didn’t start as fast as expected, but he’s certainly made up for it. Mostly due to inconsistent line play, he struggled in the first game, gaining only 39 yards. 

Since then, as the offensive line has gelled, Richardson has taken off.

He’s gained 729 yards on 115 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns. He also has 149 yards receiving with another touchdown. Numbers like these have Richardson right in the thick of the Heisman conversation.

Most impressive is how Richardson has performed against ranked opponents. In three games, he’s averaged 139 rushing yards.

I don’t think anyone’s questioning whether Richardson can carry the load anymore.