Alabama has had stellar gamers come by means of Tuscaloosa to play for the Crimson Tide. A few of the most spectacular of the lengthy record of stars are members of the protection.
Whether or not it’s members of the secondary making spectacular performs and racking up big-time stats or defensive linemen that established themselves as legendary run-stoppers, the Crimson Tide has all of it.
Drafting an All-Time defensive roster for Alabama isn’t any simple process and there shall be some who disagree. Nonetheless, listed here are the all-time starters and backups for the Crimson Tide protection.
See the all-time Alabama offense right here.
Take a look at our different School Wire all-time defenses: Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC
Beginning DE1: Jonathan Allen
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports activities
Jonathan Allen was stellar in his time with the Crimson Tide. he received 5 particular person awards, was a three-time member of the First-Group All-SEC and was a unanimous All-American.
Backup DE1: Eric Curry
Eric Curry was the chief of the protection for the 1992 nationwide championship-winning crew. Curry was a 1992 Consensus All-American.
Beginning DE2: Marty Lyons
Marty Lyons was nationally acknowledged as an All-American and has the stats to again it up, however the position he performed n the 1979 “Purpose Line Stand” to assist the Crimson Tide win a nationwide championship is greater than sufficient to earn him a spot on this record.
Backup DE2: Leroy prepare dinner
Leroy Cook dinner set data for compelled fumbles, sacks and tackles for loss. He was the Defensive MVP for the 1975 Orange Bowl and was twice named to each All-SEC roster and the All-American roster.
Beginning DT1: Terrence Cody
Terrence Cody joined the Crimson Tide after spending his freshman season at a JUCO program. Cody was a finalist for a lot of awards and obtained all-conference recognition. Nevertheless, his legacy was cemented in 2009 when he blocked two discipline targets, one in every of which saved the sport and secured a win for the Crimson Tide.
Backup DT1: Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus grew to become an issue for opposing offenses the very second he joined the Crimson Tide. Dareus’ legacy at Alabama started whereas he was only a true freshman. He left for the NFL after three years of dominance. He was a nationwide champion, an MVP of that nationwide championship and was chosen as a member of the First-team All-SEC.
Beginning DT2: Quinnen Williams
Quinnen Williams solely performed for 2 seasons, however that was sufficient to make him a top-three decide within the 2018 NFL draft. As a redshirt sophomore, Williams received two particular person awards and was named All-SEC and was a unanimous All-American.
Backup DT2: Daron Payne
Daron Payne at all times appeared to indicate up in huge moments for the Crimson Tide. He was the Defensive MVP for the Sugar Bowl and the nationwide championship throughout Alabama’s 2017 title run. He is among the few gamers from the Nick Saban Period to see vital enjoying time as a real freshman. He was a proficient participant that confirmed consistency.
Beginning LB1: Lee Roy Jordan
Bear Bryant typically praised Lee Roy Jordan, which is sufficient of a cause to have him on this record. He was twice named MVP of Bowl Video games Alabama participated in and document over 30 tackles in his remaining collegiate sport.
Backup LB1: Reuben Foster
Regardless of seeing vital enjoying time as a real freshman and sophomore, Reuben Foster exploded onto the scene in his junior yr, the place he recorded 73 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and 9 go breakups. The stats don’t do his sheer dominance any justice.
Beginning LB2: C.J. Mosley
C.J. Mosley received two nationwide championships, was twice chosen to the All-SEC First Group and was twice chosen as a Consensus All-American. His presence was felt each time he stepped on the sector.
Backup LB2: Courtney Upshaw
Courtney Upshaw’s stats and accolades don’t do his school profession justice. He was chosen to the First-Group All-SEC and First-Group All-American and was a two-time nationwide champion.
Beginning LB3: Rolando McClain
Rolando McClain’s complete profession is cemented as one of many biggest in school soccer historical past. He was the SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months, the Butkus Award Recipient, Jack Lambert Trophy recipient, and a two-time nationwide champion.
Backup LB3: Dont’a Hightower
Dont’a Hightower was a daily starter in his true freshman season in 2008, which was solely Nick Saban’s second yr teaching the crew. Hightower’s skills on the sector assist Saban set up a robust defensive tradition early in his tenure with the Crimson Tide.
Beginning CB1: Antonio Langham
There could also be some who consider the 1993 season ought to end in Langham being left off of this record. Nevertheless, he nonetheless holds the Crimson Tide document for interceptions with 19 and was heralded as a consensus All-American.
Backup CB1: Jeremiah Castille
Castille was on the ultimate crew coached by Bear Bryant in 1982. In three seasons, he recorded 16 interceptions and was identify to School Soccer’s All-America Group. He was the MVP of the 1982 Liberty Bowl after recording three interceptions.
Beginning CB2: Dee Milliner
Milliner was one of many few gamers below Nick Saban who performed as a real freshman. He excelled in his three years with this system, recording 81 tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes deflected. He was additionally chosen to each the All-American and All-SEC groups.
Backup CB2: Dre Kirkpatrick
Regardless of solely having three interceptions in his school profession, Kirkpatrick recorded 91 complete tackles, together with 16 go deflections and a fumble restoration that resulted in a landing. He received two nationwide titles and was twice named to the All-SEC crew.
Beginning S1: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick received two nationwide championships, earned two people awards, twice named to the First-Group All-SEC and was twice named a consensus All-American. He was a flexible defensive again that excelled everywhere in the discipline.
Backup S1: George Teague
With 14 complete interceptions in his three-year profession, Teague led the convention in interceptions in back-to-back seasons. Teague is among the most-remembered gamers of the pre-Saban period and had an enduring legacy in each School and the NFL.
Beginning S2: Mark Barron
Although Barron was moved to linebacker within the NFL, he was a superb defensive again whereas at Alabama. He was a three-time member of the First-Group All-SEC roster, twice named a First-Group All-American and received two nationwide championships.
Backup S2: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
In three years with the Crimson Tide, Clinton-Dix received two nationwide championships, was a consensus All-American and was chosen to the First-Group All-SEC.