TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It was the greatest streak in the history of college football and the dynasty of dynasties.
When Nick Saban left the Miami Dolphins to join the University of Alabama football program in 2007, his critics and detractors did not hold back. They questioned the statement that he wanted to be a college coach, predicted his stay with the Crimson Tide would be brief and waited for the day they could say “I told you so.”
Never happened. During just his second year, Saban’s new program was the SEC Championship Game. A year later he won the national championship, the first of six during the Magic Era, giving the coach the all-time lead with seven.
But that was only the start. Consider a sample of what your players accomplished:
• 133 players selected in the NFL Draft, including a record 44 in the first round. For 16 consecutive years, the Crimson Tide had at least one player selected in the first round, surpassing the notable streak established by Miami (1995-2008).
• 46 consensus first-team All-American selections by 41 different players. The 41 would tie for 17th most of any program in NCAA history.
• 109 first-team All-SEC selections, with another 68 second-team honors, 175 total in 17 seasons. On average, that’s almost half of the starters on a given team.
We could sit here and tell you that from 2008, until this past season, when it took overtime to eliminate the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff, Alabama was ranked No. 1 in the KeynoteUSA poll at some point each season: 15 years. . Previously, the longest streak was seven years (Miami, 1986-92).
However, Saban’s greatest asset, besides being a game planner, decision maker and perhaps the greatest recruiter of all time, was as a teacher. To really put a lid on what the coach accomplished, we went back and updated our list of the top 100 Crimson Tide players during his era, initially composed in 2020. Only now it’s 250 players, which will be released as a series sooner. to SEC Media Days in July.
We knew that with the Saban Top 100 it was anything but the last word. That following season, DeVonta Smith won the program’s third Heisman Trophy, Mac Jones posted the strongest single-season passing numbers in program history, and Najee Harris was on track to become Alabama’s all-time rushing king. .
But now Saban has coached his last game, so at least the active work is complete. It’s time to go back and reclassify the players. This time, we list the top 200 in order: 95 offensive and defensive players, plus 10 on special teams.
Going back to those Draft numbers, All-American and all-conference, they are a very strong indication of where the cut line was drawn.
This is how the ranking was composed:
As for the final 50, the first three days of the series will be a sort of “players to remember” section, with statistics often taking a back seat in importance. It includes those who made significant contributions in various ways, plus some fan favorites. There will be 20 offensive and defensive players, plus 10 special teams players.
The initial version of this project began with: “Those who read this entire series will probably have the same reaction over and over again… ‘That guy should be higher on the list.’ And the person will be right almost every time.”
That is the point. Enjoy and have fun both remembering and debating.
Justin Britt, G, 2004-07
He began his Crimson Tide career as a defensive lineman, making 12 tackles, including two for loss and a sack. However, he moved to the offensive side and was the starting left guard in 2007.
Marlon Davis, G, 2007-08
Two-year starter at right guard at the beginning of the Nick Saban era, when the Crimson Tide was largely a run-first team.
Darrian Dalcourt, OL, 2019-23
Dalcourt played in 39 games for the Crimson Tide and was considered at least a part-time starter for three seasons while dealing with injuries. He started 11 games at center in 2021, five games in 2022, and focused primarily on playing guard during his senior season and again made five starts.
Gehrig Dieter, W.R., 2016
His contributions weren’t always reflected on the stat sheet, but Dieter went from SMU to having a 1,000-yard season at Bowling Green and becoming a starter during his only season at Alabama. He had 15 receptions for 214 yards and four touchdowns. And yes, he is named after Lou Gehrig.
CJ Dippre, TE, 2023*
Transferred from Maryland for what would be Nick Saban’s final season and won the starting job. He caught 11 passes for 187 yards and made key blocks on the outside to help the running game.
Robert Foster, WR, 2014-17
A shoulder injury ended his promising start to the 2015 season, but he returned and earned a starting spot as a senior. He finished his career with 35 receptions for 389 yards and three touchdowns.
Brandon Gibson, WR, 2009-11
Earning a starting role his senior season, he finished his career with 20 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown at Ole Miss. He also returned a blocked kick for a touchdown.
Baron Huber, FB, 2007-09
He may have caught just two passes and not had a single carry during the Nick Saban era, but he was Mark Ingram’s fullback when he won the Heisman Trophy.
Korren Kirven, OL, 2013-16
He started as a defensive lineman and moved to guard for his final two seasons. He played in 26 games of his career, including all 15 in 2016, when he started the final six games of his college career.
Kendrick Law, WR, 2022-23*
In two years, he played in 24 games and made 23 receptions for 238 yards, in addition to playing a key role on special teams. Last season he also had 17 kick returns for 405 yards and made two tackles. However, what we really like about him is the blocking he does on the field.
September 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Kendrick Law (19) is hit by Mississippi Rebels safety John Saunders Jr. (5) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-KeynoteUSA Sports / Gary Cosby Jr.-KeynoteUSA Sports
Seth McLaughlin, C, 2020-2023
He was promoted to starting center near the end of the 2021 season and played in 11 games during the 2022 season, making eight starts and playing in 913 snaps. Snap issues plagued him in 2023, and McLaughlin subsequently transferred, but the Crimson Tide’s 24 career starts were anything but inconsequential.
Alfred McCullough, 2009-2011
Guys like McCullough never get the credit they deserve. The versatile lineman who came over from the defensive side was like the ultimate sixth man who could, and often did, comfortably play either offensive guard or tackle. He played in 31 games for the Crimson Tide.
Jam Miller, RB, 2022-23*
Through his first two seasons, he had 424 rushing yards on 74 carries with three touchdowns, along with four receptions for 72 yards and another score. The really funny thing for Alabama fans was that they realized he was just getting started.
Richard Mullaney, W.R., 2015
The 6-3 receiver played just one season in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Oregon State, but earned a starting role and tallied 38 receptions for 390 yards and five touchdowns.
Amari Niblack, TE, 2022-23
He became a receiving threat by averaging 16.3 yards per reception during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa. He had 20 receptions for 327 yards and four touchdowns before transferring at the end of his sophomore year.
Chris Owens, OL, 2017-21
A rare offensive lineman who could truly play anywhere up front and played multiple positions for the Crimson Tide. He made 20 starts in his career, including 12 games at right tackle and one at center in 2021.
Jaeden Roberts, G, 2022-23*
He moved into the starting lineup as a redshirt sophomore during Nick Saban’s final season and continued to improve. For example, against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, he had a career- and game-high six takedown blocks without allowing a quarterback hit or pressure (he only missed one task).
Cam Sims, WR, 2014-17
Making a career of defying naysayers, the 6-5 receiver played in 41 games and made 34 catches for 405 yards. Perhaps his biggest play was the touchdown-saving tackle in punt coverage against Georgia in the national title game.
Brian Vogler, TE, 2011-14
He wasn’t the biggest threat in the passing game, but Vogler was a three-year starter and made 17 catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
Matt Womack, OL, 2016-19
He earned the starting right tackle job as a sophomore in 2017, but then struggled with injuries. The versatile 6-7 lineman made 15 starts in his career, 14 at right tackle in 2017 and one at right guard in 2019.
Saban’s legacy: in numbers
Tomorrow: 20 defensive players you shouldn’t forget…
Keynote USA
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