The best gamers in Alabama soccer historical past

One of many earliest Alabama soccer stars. Brown was the star of Alabama’s first acknowledged nationwide championship staff from 1925. Identified for his blistering pace, Brown scored twice throughout the Crimson Tide’s upset victory over Washington within the Rose Bowl that season. The win secured Alabama’s nationwide title and basically opened the door for school soccer groups from the South to be taken significantly. Although Brown earned a spot within the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, he could be finest often called one in every of Hollywood’s most distinguished western movie stars of the time.

Not solely was Sington a standout performer on the soccer area at Alabama, however he was additionally a star baseball participant who ultimately performed for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Washington Senators. On the gridiron, Sington was an All-American in each 1929 and ’30. Throughout the 1930 season, he helped the Crimson Tide win their third NCAA-recognized nationwide championship. He was enshrined within the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1955. 

Earlier than Hutson earned legendary standing with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, he bought the ball rolling at Alabama. Thought of the primary fashionable huge receiver, Hutson earned All-American standing twice whereas enjoying for the Crimson Tide. Maybe Hutson’s shining second as an Alabama soccer participant got here throughout the Rose Bowl to conclude the 1934 season when he caught six passes for 165 yards with two touchdowns within the 29-13 win over Stanford.

It might be a extreme understatement to say Gilmer did all of it for the Crimson Tide. Listed as a quarterback, Gilmer was really a single-wing halfback; he was each the Crimson Tide’s main passer and ball provider. His 216 dashing yards versus Kentucky in 1945 are nonetheless a faculty report for a quarterback. As a freshman, Gilmer recorded 1,457 whole yards, then in ’45, he handed for two,894 yards, ran for 1,673, and posted 50 whole touchdowns. Additionally, Gilmer’s 13.4 common yards per pun return ranks third at school historical past, and his 16 interceptions are second-most by any Alabama participant.

Jordan was an All-American choice and fourth-place Heisman Trophy finisher in 1962. He has been thought of some of the fierce defenders in school soccer historical past. In accordance with the College of Alabama, legendary Crimson Tide coach Paul “Bear” Bryant stated of Jordan: “In the event that they keep contained in the boundaries, Lee Roy will get ’em.” Throughout Alabama’s Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma to conclude the ’62 season, Jordan was credited with a exceptional 31 tackles.

Namath’s school statistics (2,713 profession passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 19 interceptions; 655 dashing yards) have been removed from jaw-dropping, however when “Bear” Bryant calls you the “the best athlete I ever coached,” then there is a spot on this listing. Earlier than Namath grew to become “Broadway Joe” and an unbelievable Tremendous Bowl champion with the New York Jets, he posted a 29-4 report in three collegiate seasons. He helped lead Alabama to the 1964 nationwide championship. 

The 1971 All-American remains to be among the many biggest working backs in Alabama historical past, which is an enormous deal contemplating three of the college’s 4 Heisman Trophy Award winners have been working backs. Musso ran for two,741 yards (the primary at school historical past to achieve 2,000), averaged practically 4.8 per carry, and scored 34 touchdowns throughout his three-year collegiate profession. Musso additionally caught 61 passes for 495 yards with 4 receiving touchdowns.

One of the vital versatile and celebrated gamers in Alabama soccer historical past, Hannah may very effectively be the best offensive lineman to ever swimsuit up for the Tide. Hannah was a two-All-American who performed each deal with and guard. In 1973, Hannah was chosen fourth total by the New England Patriots and loved a stellar NFL profession that includes 9 Professional Bowl nods and 7 appearances on the league All-Professional first-team listing. 

A primary-team All-American in 1974 and consensus decide one yr later, Cook dinner loved a stellar profession at Alabama. There’s additionally an underrated factor that’s related to Cook dinner on a nationwide degree. Throughout his time with the Crimson Tide, Cook dinner recorded 15 sacks and compelled 10 fumbles. He recorded 200 tackles, together with 27 for loss, however his post-Alabama enjoying profession was overshadowed by the NFL success of former Tide teammates like E.J. Junior, Barry Krauss, Bob Baumhower, Woodrow Lowe, and Marty Lyons. 

Lowe is one in every of two Alabama gamers to be named a three-time All-American throughout their school profession. The School Soccer Corridor of Famer ranks among the many program’s leaders with 315 profession tackles, and his 134 from the Crimson Tide’s 1973 nationwide championship season nonetheless rank No. 1 at school historical past. Along with being a key member of that nationwide title staff, Lowe was a part of 4 SEC championship groups whereas at Alabama. 

A member of each the School and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, Newsome was one of many nice school receivers throughout the Seventies. He was a standout tight finish within the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. Throughout his 4 seasons with the Crimson Tide, although, Newsome totaled 102 receptions for two,070 yards (averaging 20.3 yards per catch) with 16 touchdowns. He made a career-best 36 of these catches throughout the 1977 season. 

By way of particular person and staff success at Alabama, Stephenson loved loads of good occasions whereas beginning all three years of his school profession. Not solely was Stephenson twice named a second-team All-American, however he was a stalwart of the Crimson Tide’s back-to-back nationwide championship groups in 1978 and ’79. Identified for his excellent mixture of power and pace, Stephenson gained the Jacobs Trophy (1979) because the SEC’s finest blocker earlier than having fun with a Corridor of Fame profession with the Miami Dolphins.

Among the many faculty’s all-time leaders in tackles for loss (41) and whole tackles (287), Bennett was named an All-American 3 times whereas at Alabama (becoming a member of Woodrow Lowe as the one two Crimson Tide gamers to perform such a feat). That features his unanimous choice in 1986 when he recorded 10 of his profession 15 sacks and was named SEC Participant of the 12 months and gained the Lombardi Trophy. Bennett is a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame.

Thomas may very effectively be the best defensive participant within the historical past of the Alabama soccer program. There’s a minimum of no argument when claiming Thomas because the Crimson Tide’s all-time biggest move rusher. In his 4 school seasons, Thomas set faculty data with 52 sacks and 68 tackles for loss. His 27 sacks in 1988 (when the All-American gained the Butkus Award) and 18 from ’89 rank Nos. 1 and a couple of at Alabama for a single season.

Speak about a presence. The 6-foot-5, 365-pound Cody solely performed two seasons at Alabama after successful a nationwide title on the junior-college degree. Nevertheless, he actually made essentially the most of his temporary time with Crimson Tide, totaling 52 tackles and incomes All-SEC first-team and unanimous All-American recognition throughout his two seasons. 

It is slightly exhausting to consider that Ingram is the primary Heisman Trophy winner within the historical past of the storied Alabama program. Throughout that Heisman season of 2009, Ingram ran for 1,658 (third-most for a Crimson Tide season), averaged 6.1 per carry, and scored 17 touchdowns on the bottom to assist Alabama win its first nationwide championship since 1992. Ingram completed his Alabama profession with 3,261 dashing yards (ranked seventh at school historical past) and 42 touchdowns (second-most by a Crimson Tide participant). He additionally caught 60 profession passes for 670 yards with 4 touchdowns.

Jones’ NFL profession did not change into practically as profitable as his time at Alabama, which was really particular. After redshirting in 2008, Jones began all 14 video games throughout the Tide’s run to the 2009 nationwide title. In 2011, after shifting from guard to left deal with, he gained the Outland Trophy for an additional squad that gained all of it. Lastly, in 2012, now enjoying middle, Jones helped Alabama win its third nationwide championship in 4 seasons whereas additionally successful the Rimington Trophy. Jones earned All-American standing at every of these positions.

Cooper remains to be going robust within the NFL, and that basis was efficiently laid with the Crimson Tide. In three seasons at Alabama, Cooper amassed 228 receptions, 3,463 yards, and 31 touchdowns — every rating second all-time at school historical past. In 2014, Cooper was the SEC Offensive Participant of the 12 months, unanimous All-American, and Biletnikoff Award winner because the nation’s finest receiver.

Many Crimson Tide historians and followers consider Henry is the best participant in Alabama soccer historical past. There is a robust argument to be made on the subject of that competitors. Henry ranks second all-time on the college’s dashing listing with 3,591 yards. His 2,219 yards and 28 dashing touchdowns from 2015, when he grew to become the second Alabama participant to win the Heisman Trophy, are essentially the most for a single season in program historical past. Henry gained the Maxwell, Doak Walker, and Walter Camp Awards in 2015.

Fitzpatrick did not waste any time making an affect at Alabama. As a real freshman, he returned each interceptions for touchdowns whereas recording 45 tackles. In 2016, Fitzpatrick ranked among the many nationwide leaders with six interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. These 4 interceptions returned for touchdowns are a faculty report. He completed his collegiate profession with 9 interceptions and 171 whole tackles, with 26 passes defended. A two-time consensus All-American, Fitzpatrick gained the Thorpe and Bednarik Awards in 2017.

Surrounded by loads of hype, Tagovailoa solidified his particular place in Alabama soccer lore when he accomplished that nationwide championship-winning 41-yard landing move to DeVonta Smith in time beyond regulation on Jan. 8, 2018. Tagovailoa gained the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards with the Tide. His 7,782 profession whole yards of offense rank third at school historical past, and his common of 235.7 is the very best by any Alabama quarterback. His 96 whole touchdowns and 87 passing TDs are each faculty data, whereas his 7,442 profession passing yards rank third all time.

Of all of the legendary working backs which have carried the ball for the Crimson Tide, it is Harris who’s this system’s all-time main rusher. It took 55 profession video games for Harris to put up a school-best 3,843 dashing yards. His 46 profession dashing touchdowns are additionally essentially the most at Alabama. In 2020, Harris was a part of his second nationwide championship squad for the Tide, and he rushed for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns. He additionally caught 43 passes for 425 yards en path to successful the Doak Walker Award. 

Najee Harris was a Heisman candidate in 2020, however teammate DeVonta Smith grew to become Alabama’s third participant — and first receiver — at school historical past to win the award. Smith is the college’s all-time chief in receptions (235), yards (3,965), and touchdowns (46). Smith, whose solely catch throughout the nationwide championship contest to conclude the 2017 season was the game-winner, loved arguably the very best receiving season in Alabama historical past in 2020 with 117 catches, 1,856 yards, and 23 touchdowns. Along with the Heisman, Smith gained the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Biletnikoff Awards in 2020.

Anderson has made his presence felt in simply two seasons with the Crimson Tide. In 2021, Anderson recorded 17.5 sacks, good for third all-time at school historical past. His 24.5 profession sacks rank fourth throughout the program. Not solely is Anderson one of many faculty’s finest edge rushers, however he is additionally bought a severe nostril for the soccer. His 34.5 tackles for loss from 2021 are the second-most in a season by a Crimson Tide participant, they usually have been a significant purpose the All-American was named SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months and gained the Nagurski Trophy.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Younger seems to grow to be the primary participant since Ohio State’s Archie Griffin (1974, ’75) to repeat that feat. It is a tall order, however heading into the 2022 season, Younger is presently the very best quarterback within the recreation. He has a rightful place on this listing based mostly on just one full season because the Alabama starter. Younger’s 4,872 passing yards and 47 touchdowns are each essentially the most in a single season by an Alabama quarterback. His 559 passing yards in opposition to Arkansas from Nov. 20, 2021, can also be the very best single-game whole at school historical past.