All-State is a high school accolade. But it also can be applied to the NFL if all the players on the team come from the same state, such as AL.com’s NFL All-State team for the 2020 season. All the selections played football at Alabama high schools and colleges.
The team was chosen from the more than 150 players with Alabama football roots who appeared on NFL teams’ active rosters during the 2020 regular season. Some of the positions were thick with worthy choices, and at other positions, the candidates were less abundant.
Here’s the NFL All-State team for Alabama for this season:
OFFENSE
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers passes during an NFL playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
Quarterback: Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts
The former Athens High School signal-caller closed his 17-season NFL career by completing 369-of-543 passes for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry runs past Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jamie Collins during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Nashville, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)AP
Running back: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Alabama’s 2015 Heisman Trophy winner led the NFL in rushing for the second straight season by becoming the eighth player in NFL history with at least 2,000 rushing yards in one season. Henry ran for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns on 378 carries as he earned first-team All-Pro recognition.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs for a touchdown during an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
The former West Alabama standout caught 87 passes for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns and also ran for two touchdowns as he earned first-team All-Pro recognition. He caught another 24 passes for 355 yards in three postseason games.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley runs after making a reception during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Wide receiver: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
The former Alabama standout had 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020 as he earned second-team All-Pro recognition.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper runs after making a reception during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth
Wide receiver: Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
The former Alabama All-American caught 92 passes for 1,114 yards for five touchdowns in 2020 to record the fifth 1,000-yard season of his six NFL campaigns.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.AP Photo/Butch Dill
Tight end: Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
The former Alabama standout caught 30 passes for 365 yards this season, with 22 of the receptions producing first downs and five of them resulting in touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly prepares to snap the football during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, on Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)AP
Center: Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts
The former Alabama All-American earned his second straight Pro Bowl invitation and received second-team All-Pro recognition in 2020.
Baltimore Ravens left guard Bradley Bozeman blocks during an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland.AP Photo/David Richard
Guard: Bradley Bozeman, Baltimore Ravens
The former Handley High School and Alabama standout played 1,026 snaps at left guard for the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense this season. Bozeman finished in the top 10 among guards in ESPN Analytics’ Run Block Win Rate and Pass Block Win Rate in 2020.
Atlanta Falcons guard James Carpenter blocks during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla.AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus
Guard: James Carpenter, Atlanta Falcons
The former Alabama offensive tackle battled late-season injuries to start 13 games and play 827 snaps at left guard for the Falcons without incurring an accepted penalty in 2020.
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Braden Smith blocks Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum during an NFL game on Sept. 20, 2020, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.AP Photo/Zach Bolinger
Offensive tackle: Braden Smith, Indianapolis Colts
An All-American guard at Auburn, Smith handled 939 snaps at right offensive tackle for the Colts this season without giving up a sack.
Houston Texans offensive tackle Tytus Howard blocks Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson during an NFL game on Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)AP
Offensive tackle: Tytus Howard, Houston Texans
A knee injury cut Howard’s rookie season in half after the Texans selected him from Alabama State in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but the former Monroe County High School quarterback returned for Year 2 to play 811 snaps at left tackle while giving up two sacks.
DEFENSE
New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams knocks down a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during an NFL game on Nov. 29, 2020, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.Elsa/Getty Images
Defensive interior: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
The former Wenonah High School standout and Alabama All-American made a jump from his rookie season by basically doubling his stats in Year 2. Williams recorded 55 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 14 quarterback hits, three passes defended and two forced fumbles in 2020.
Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen celebrates during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 25, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)AP
Defensive interior: Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team
The former Alabama All-American adapted to Washington’s switch from a 3-4 to 4-3 defensive scheme for 2020 with 63 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, 14 quarterback hits, one fumble recovery and one safety. Only one defensive interior player had more tackles than Allen this season.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton during an NFL game on Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)AP
Defensive interior: Dalvin Tomlinson, New York Giants
The former Alabama standout completed his fourth season in the NFL as he had the previous three – by starting every game for the Giants. In 2020, Tomlinson recorded 49 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and four passes defended in 2020.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith tackles Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson during an NFL game on Oct. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP
Edge: Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay Packers
The Greenville High School alumnus earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition by recording 12.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits for the Packers this season. The outside linebacker forced four fumbles and recovered two.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson pressures Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during an NFL game on Sept. 27, 2020, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson
Edge: Carl Lawson, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Auburn standout avoided the injuries that had hampered his previous two seasons to record 5.5 sacks for the Bengals in 2020, when he finished second in the NFL with 32 quarterback hits from his defensive end spot.
Houston Texans inside linebacker Zach Cunningham tackles Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt during an NFL game on Nov. 15, 2020, in Cleveland.AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Inside linebacker: Zach Cunningham, Houston Texans
The former Pinson Valley High School star led the NFL with 164 tackles and 106 solo tackles during the 2020 season.
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Josh Bynes tackles Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor during an NFL game on Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Getty Images
Inside linebacker: Josh Bynes, Cincinnati Bengals
In his 10th NFL season, the former Auburn standout reached a career high with 99 tackles as he took charge of the Bengals’ young defense.
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry intercepts a pass in the end zone during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
Cornerback: James Bradberry, New York Giants
In his first season with the Giants, the former Pleasant Grove High School and Samford standout earned his first Pro Bowl invitation as he intercepted three passes, broke up 18 passes and made 54 tackles.
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey knocks the football away from Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins during an NFL game on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland.AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Cornerback: Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
The former Hoover High School and Alabama standout earned his second straight Pro Bowl invitation in 2020, when he led the NFL with eight forced fumbles. Humphrey also made 82 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, intercepted one pass and broke up 11.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrates after making an interception during an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Free safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Alabama All-American earned first-team All-Pro recognition for the second straight season as he recorded 79 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Fitzpatrick returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown, something he’s done in each of his NFL seasons.
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson tackles Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley during an NFL game on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Denver.AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Strong safety: Kareem Jackson, Denver Broncos
After nine seasons as an NFL cornerback, the former Alabama standout reached a career high with 89 tackles in his second season as a safety in 2020. He also intercepted a pass.
SPECIALISTS
Daniel Carlson of the Las Vegas Raiders kicks a field goal during an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 26, 2020, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini
Kicker: Daniel Carlson, Oakland Raiders
The former Auburn standout tied for the NFL scoring lead in 2020 with 144 points. Carlson made 33-of-35 field-goal attempts, including all four of his 50-yarders, and 45-of-47 extra-point kicks.
Green Bay Packers punter JK Scott punts during an NFL game against the Houston Texans on Oct. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP
Punter: JK Scott, Green Bay Packers
The prowess of the Green Bay offense put the former Alabama standout on the field more times as a holder on kicks than as a punter. But as a punter, Scott averaged 45.5 yards per punt and had 15 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
Daren Bates of the Tennessee Titans warms up before an NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 8, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)Getty Images
Special-teamer: Daren Bates, Tennessee Titans
The former Auburn linebacker wasn’t even on the Titans’ roster when the season started and was originally signed for the practice squad. But he ended up appearing in 13 games and getting on the field for 296 special-teams plays.
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
· Lester Cotton gets another NFL opportunity
· Alabama Roots: Who’s headed for NFL free agency?
· Which SEC program has the most players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
· Steve McLendon foresees ‘bigger things’ for Quinnen Williams
· Seattle Seahawks release Chance Warmack
· Kareem Jackson recalls how he spent his first million
· Have the Philadelphia Eagles made their choice at quarterback?
· Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean join Auburn’s Super Bowl winners
· Carlton Davis, Gravediggers back from dead in Super Bowl LV
· How the state’s players performed in Super Bowl LV