Alabama tops NFL’s Week 1 census for the eighth season in a row

For the eighth season in the row, Alabama is at the top of the NFL’s annual census of the Week 1 active rosters of its 32 teams.

This year’s total of 61 former Alabama players was 10 more than any other college program had, with Ohio State the runner-up with 51.

In the NFL survey, which was released on Thursday, players counted only for the college program from which they entered the NFL, so New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker, Cleveland Browns guard Javion Cohen, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts aren’t included in the Crimson Tide’s total. Baker played at UCF, Cohen at Miami (Fla.), Ford at Cincinnati and Hurts at Oklahoma between Alabama and the NFL.

The 61 players are the most during Alabama’s reign, which started with 39 in 2017.

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By position, Alabama has more defensive backs with 13, defensive tackles with eight and running backs with six than any other program and is tied with Southern Cal for the most wide receivers with eight and with North Carolina and Oklahoma for the most quarterbacks with three.

Under the NFL’s system, Hurts counts for Oklahoma, where he completed his career with one season in 2019, and not for Alabama, where he played for three seasons.

The Alabama players at the league-leading positions include:

Defensive backs:

· Jalyn Armour-Davis, Baltimore Ravens

· Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions

· Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals

· Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

· Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

· Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers

· Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

· Eddie Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

· Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers

· Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry, New Orleans Saints

· Eli Ricks, Philadelphia Eagles

· Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

· Levi Wallace, Denver Broncos

Defensive tackles:

· Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders

· Raekwon Davis, Indianapolis Colts

· Da’Shawn Hand, Miami Dolphins

· Phidarian Mathis, Washington Commanders

· Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

· Jarran Reed, Seattle Seahawks

· Dalvin Tomlinson, Cleveland Browns

· Byron Young, Philadelphia Eagles

(Alabama’s count at this defensive position includes only those players who are listed as tackles on their team roster. Justin Eboigbe of the Los Angeles Chargers and Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets, who are listed as defensive linemen but play primarily defensive tackle, and the Carolina Panthers’ LaBryan Ray and A’Shawn Robinson, who are listed as defensive ends in a three-man front, are not included in the count.)

Running backs:

· Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

· Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

· Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

· Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

· Jase McClellan, Atlanta Falcons

· Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

Wide receivers:

· Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals

· Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

· Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

· John Metchie III, Houston Texans

· Calvin Ridley, Tennesse

· DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

· Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

· Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Quarterbacks:

· Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars

· Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

· Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.