Alabama lineman earns SEC Player of the Week honors

Alabama’s Tyler Booker has been named SEC Player of the Week for his play in the Crimson Tide’s 34-0 win over Missouri, the conference announced Monday.

The left guard helped the Tide amass 486 yards. Booker was instrumental in Alabama rushing for 271 yards with a season-high 7.3 yards per carry. The Alabama captain didn’t allow a sack while posting a team-best 95 percent. Booker also recorded nine knockdown blocks.

It should come as no surprise that Booker played well. Last week, Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard made a point of talking about how the offensive lineman was a more active leader.

“He is everywhere with every player at the back of this team, every play,” he said, according to Matt Stahl. “Getting in their faces. Picking up the pace, the envelope with each of them. They say, “Hey, this is the expectation. I’m not going to tell you this over and over again. You’re going to do it the right way or you’re going to leave.’”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.