One of college football's top defenders placed himself squarely in the middle of the controversy about the NCAA's new "targeting" rule on Saturday when Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix broke up a pass along the left sideline in the second quarter of the Crimson Tide's crucial game against Texas A&M.
TAMU quarterback Johnny Manziel threw a near-perfect pass for what would have been a big gain when Aggies WR Derel Walker broke free downfield, but Clinton-Dix ranged right and was in place to break up the pass with a hard but seemingly clean collision. Clinton-Dix was flagged for a personal foul and called for "targeting," which would have resulted in the automatic ejection of one of the top talents on the field.
Replay officials overturned the targeting call, allowing Clinton-Dix to stay in the game, but he was still assessed a 15-yard personal foul. Targeting prohibits players from making contact above the shoulders with "defenseless" players. Clinton-Dix appeared to lead with his shoulder rather than his helmet on the hit.
UA coach Nick Saban was visibly upset by the initial call on the field.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
