Jared Mayden started to smile even before the end of the question Monday, that grin beginning to spread across the senior defensive back’s face as soon as he realized the question was about Alabama’s special teams “headhunter.”
After leading the Crimson Tide in special teams tackles last season, Ale Kaho has been even better for Alabama on special teams this year.
The sophomore linebacker has become a true weapon and playmaker for the Tide on special teams, someone who has been impressing Mayden and others inside the Alabama program with his combination of blocked punts and big hits on those special teams units.
“Man, Kaho, that boy a headhunter,” a smiling Mayden said. “... When you play football, you kind of have to be like you don’t really care. You have to be ready to throw your body around. But Kaho, Kaho is special. He’ll go and blow up the shield (the players protecting the punter) every chance he gets. That’s something special. Not a lot of people can do that. And it’s not like he’s the biggest. He’s just, you can’t say he’s not giving 110 percent effort. I mean he brings a real spark to the special teams unit and even the defense.”
The former four-star recruit has been selected as one of the coaching staff’s special teams players of the week after four of the Tide’s first seven games, including each of the last three games.
Kaho blocked a punt against Ole Miss that he recovered for a touchdown and then blocked another in the next game versus Texas A&M.
That one was recovered for a touchdown by wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, which pushed the Tide’s lead to 47-20 early in the fourth quarter.
“Craziest thing is some of his blocks don’t even be (bonsai block calls) or when we’re trying to blitz,” Mayden said. “It’s just, he just kind of goes and blows up the shield and it works for him. That’s just crazy to me. The shield will be like a 275-pound O-line or D-lineman. Kaho’s like 215. That goes back to what I was saying. He’s giving 110 percent effort.”
In addition to the blocked punts, Kaho has also recorded a tackle on the kickoff coverage team in four of the last five games.
That includes one on the opening kickoff against Tennessee this past weekend, when he tripped up the returner after just a 13-yard return and forced the Vols to start their opening drive at their own 15-yard line.
The tackle helped Kaho earn his latest player of the week honor from the coaching staff.
And it added to that reputation as a headhunter on those Crimson Tide special teams units.
“When he hits somebody, you’re going to know,” Mayden said. “You’re going to hear it. The other dude’s going to feel it. And he’s going to put energy through the whole team.”
Matt Zenitz is an Alabama and Auburn reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.