Former Alabama players to watch during Divisional Round weekend

By WVUA 23 Contributor AJ Holliday

The NFL is set to begin the Divisional round of the playoffs beginning Saturday, Jan. 22. Out of the eight teams remaining, six of them have a former Alabama player.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tennessee Titans will have a former Crimson Tide player on their sideline this weekend as they continue on their quest to win the Super Bowl. 

Here are some former Alabama players to watch and their teams:

Bengals: Jonah Williams: Offensive Tackle, attended Alabama from 2016-2018. All-American and All-SEC first team during his time with the Tide. Williams now blocks for former LSU quarterback and Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Joe Burrow. Bengals are on the road against the Titans, kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22 (3:30 p.m., CBS).

Bills: Levi Wallace: Cornerback, attended the Capstone from 2014-2017. Began his career at UA as a walk-on and was awarded a scholarship during fall camp in 2016. Wallace is now a starter for the Bills and looks to help his team get revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs, who eliminated them from the playoffs last year. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 23 (5:30 p.m., CBS).

Buccaneers: O.J. Howard: Tight End, attended UA from 2013-2016. Howard is one of the best tight ends in Crimson Tide history. Howard was one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, which goes to the nation’s best tight end. He will be looking to help the Buccaneers advance to their second straight NFC Championship game. 

Chiefs: Jarran Reed: Defensive Tackle, attended UA from 2014-2016. Started his career at East Mississippi Community College, transferred to Alabama in 2014 and helped the Tide win the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. Reed now plays for the Chiefs and is trying to reach his second consecutive Super Bowl.

Rams: A’Shawn Robinson: Defensive Lineman, attended UA from 2013-2015. Started every game for the Crimson Tide in 2014 and 2015 and helped Alabama lead college football in rushing yards allowed per game, yards per carry allowed per game, and sacks.

Terell Lewis: Outside Linebacker, attended Alabama from 2016-2019. Lewis was selected All-SEC second team in 2019 and was fifth among SEC defenders with 11.5 tackles for loss. The Rams travel to Tampa to face the Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 23 (2:00 p.m., NBC).

Titans: Rashaan Evans: Linebacker, played for the Crimson Tide from 2014-2017. Evans was named a permanent team captain in 2017 and was named to the All-SEC second team by conference coaches. Evans is looking to help his team get past the Bengals and advance to the AFC Championship game. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22 (3:30 p.m., CBS).

Derrick Henry: Running back, played for Bama from 2013-2015. In his first season as the full-time starter, Henry won the Crimson Tide’s second Heisman Trophy, as well as the Doak Walker and Maxwell Award. He was a unanimous first team All-American and was selected All-SEC first team by conference coaches, and also earned Walter Camp Player of the Year honors. Henry led the Crimson Tide back to the national championship, where Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40 after Henry sealed the game with a one-yard touchdown with 1:07 remaining. 

Julio Jones: Wide receiver, played for the Crimson Tide from 2008-2010. Jones is regarded as one of the best receivers to wear the crimson and white. He ended his career at UA second in career receptions (179) and yards (2,653) and fourth in touchdown catches (15). Jones was an All-SEC first team player and helped the Tide win the 2009 championship against Texas, 37-21.