Alabama
The Saban 250: The Players who made the Biggest Impact at Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It was the greatest run in college football history, and the dynasties of dynasties.
When Nick Saban left the Miami Dolphins for the University of Alabama football program in 2007, his critics and detractors didn’t hold back. They questioned the declaration 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.”
It never happened. During his just second year, Saban’s new program was in the SEC Championship Game. A year later it won the national championship, the first of six during the magical era, giving the coach the all-time lead with seven.
But that was only the beginning. Consider a sampling of what his players accomplished:
• 133 players selected in the NFL draft, including a record 44 in the first round. For 16 straight years, the Crimson Tide had at least one player selected in the first round, topping the remarkable string set by Miami (1995-2008).
• 46 selections as consensus first-team All-Americans, by 41 different players. The 41 along would tie for the 17thmost by any program in NCAA history.
• 109 first-team All-SEC selections, with another 68 second-team honors, 175 total over 17 seasons. That’s nearly half of the starters of given team for an average.
We could sit here and tell you that from 2008, until this last season when overtime was needed to eliminate the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff, Alabama was ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll at some point of every season — 15 years. Previously, the longest streak was seven years (Miami, 1986-92).
However, Saban’s greatest asset, on top of being a game-planner, decision-making and maybe the best recruiter of all-time, was as a teacher. To truly put a cap on what the coach accomplished, we’ve gone 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 prior to SEC Media Days in July.
We knew with the Saban Top 100, it was anything but the final word. That subsequent 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 his way to becoming Alabama’s all-time rushing king.
But now Saban has coached his last game, so at least the active body of work is completed. It’s time to go back and re-rank the players. This time, we’re listing the top 200 in order: 95 offensive and defensive players, plus 10 on special teams.
Circling back to those draft, All-American and all-conference numbers, they’re a very strong indication of where the cutoff line was drawn.
Here’s how the rankings were 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 a variety of ways, plus some fan favorites. There will be 20 offensive and defensive players, along with 10 from special teams.
The initial version of this project began with: ”Those reading this entire series will probably have the same reaction over and over again …‘That guy should be higher up on the list.’ And the person will be correct, nearly every time.”
That’s the point. Enjoy, and have fun both reminiscing and debating.
Justin Britt, G, 2004-07
Began his Crimson Tide career as a defensive lineman, making 12 tackles, including two for a 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 very much 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 also dealing with injuries. He started 11 games at center in 2021, five games in 2022, and focused primarily on playing guard during his final season and again made five starts
Gehrig Dieter, WR, 2016
His contributions didn’t always show on the stat sheet, but Dieter went from SMU, to being having a 1,000-yard season at Bowling Green, to being a starting during his lone season at Alabama. He had 15 receptions for 214 yards and four touchdowns. And yes, he’s 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. Caught 11 passes for 187 yards and made key blocks on the outside to aid the running game
Robert Foster, WR, 2014-17
A shoulder injury snuffed out his promising start to the 2015 season, but he came back and earned a starting role his senior year. Finished career with 35 receptions for 389 yards and three touchdowns
Brandon Gibson, WR, 2009-11
Won a starting role his final season, finished his career with 20 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown at Ole Miss. Also returned a blocked kick for a touchdown
Baron Huber, FB, 2007-09
He may have caught just two passes, and didn’t have a single carry during the Nick Saban era, but was Mark Ingram’s fullback when he won the Heisman Trophy
Korren Kirven, OL, 2013-16
Started off as a defensive lineman and switched over to guard for his final two seasons. Played in 26 career games, including all 15 in 2016, when he started the last six games of his collegiate career
Kendrick Law, WR, 2022-23*
In two years, he’s played in 24 games and made 23 receptions for 238 yards, while also playing a key role on special teams. Last season he also had 17 kick returns for 405 yards and made two tackles. What we really like about him, though, is his downfield blocking
Seth McLaughlin, C, 2020-2023
Moved up to starting center near the end of the 2021 season, and played in 11 games during the 2022 season, making eight starts and taking 913 snaps. Snap issues plagued him in 2023, and McLaughlin subsequently transferred, but the 24 career starts for the Crimson Tide were anything but inconsequential
Alfred McCullough, 2009-11
Guys like McCullough never get anywhere near the credit they deserve. The versatile lineman switched over from the defensive side was like the ultimate sixth man who could, and often did, comfortably play at either offensive guard or tackle spot. He played in 31 games for the Crimson Tide
Jam Miller, RB, 2022-23*
Through first two seasons ground out 424 rushing yards on 74 carries with three touchdowns, plus four receptions for 72 yards and another score. The really fun thing for Alabama fans was that they could tell he was just getting started
Richard Mullaney, WR, 2015
The 6-3 receiver played just one season in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Oregon State, but won a starting role and tallied 38 receptions for 390 yards and five touchdowns
Amari Niblack, TE, 2022-23
Became a receiving threat by averaging 16.3 yards per catch during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa. Had 20 catches 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. Made 20 career starts, including 12 games at right tackle and one at center in 2021
Jaeden Roberts, G, 2022-23*
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 game- and career-high six knockdown blocks while not surrendering a quarterback hit or a pressure (he missed just one assignment)
Cam Sims, WR, 2014-17
Made a career out of defying naysayers, the 6-5 receiver played in 41 games and made 34 receptions for 405 yards. Maybe his biggest play was the touchdown-saving tackle on 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 who made 17 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns
Matt Womack, OL, 2016-19
Earned the starting right tackle job as a sophomore in 2017, but then ran into injury problems. The versatile, 6-7 lineman made 15 career starts with 14 at right tackle in 2017 and one at right guard in 2019
The Saban Legacy: By the numbers
Tomorrow: 20 Defensive Players Not to Forget …
Alabama has a quick turnaround to flush its first SEC series loss of the season at Tennessee as the No. 3 Crimson Tide prepares to face No. 21 South Carolina in the regular-season finale at Rhoads Stadium for a three-game series beginning on Thursday.
All three games between Alabama and South Carolina will be streaming only on SEC Network+.
Last year, the Gamecocks took two of three games from the Tide in the regular season series in Columbia under first year head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, and then beat Alabama in the SEC tournament.
This year, Alabama (44-6, 16-5 SEC) is still fighting for a chance at the regular season conference title two games behind Oklahoma with three games to go. At a minimum, the Tide wants to secure a double-bye in the SEC tournament and as high a seed in the NCAA tournament as possible.
“We need to do our job this year, at home especially, going into the SEC tournament and possible seedings for the NCAA,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. “This is a big weekend for both of us. I know she’d probably say the same thing. But this is huge for us.”
The Gamecocks are coming off back-to-back conference series wins over Missouri and Texas A&M while Alabama is coming in off its first conference series loss. Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s series.
How to watch: Alabama vs. South Carolina
Who: No. 21 South Carolina (30-22, 7-14 SEC) at No. 3 Alabama (44-6, 16-5 SEC)
When: Thursday, April 30 – 6 p.m. CT
Friday, May 1 – 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 2- 1 p.m. CT
Where: Rhoads Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: The Crimson Tide Sports Network on Catfish 100.1 FM in Tuscaloosa (or online) with Tom Canterbury on the call.
Series history: Alabama leads, 33-10
In Tuscaloosa: 19-2 | In Columbia: 14-7 | At Neutral Sites: 0-1
Last meeting: South Carolina eliminated Alabama from the SEC tournament in Athens, Georgia last season with a 6-2 victory over the Crimson Tide. Alabama scored two runs in the first inning, including a leadoff home run by Audrey Vandagriff, before the Gamecocks reeled off six unanswered.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost to Tennessee, 4-1, in the series finale on Monday. Alabama was on the verge of being shut out for the second straight game before a pinch hit home run by Mari Hubbard in the seventh inning.
Last time out, South Carolina: The Gamecocks run ruled South Carolina State, 9-1, in six innings on Tuesday night for their final non-conference game in the regular season.
Batting average: Brooke Wells- .419
RBIs: Brooke Wells- 55
Home runs: Brooke Wells- 56
ERA: Jocelyn Briski- 1.50
Wins: Jocelyn Briski- 19
Strikeouts: Jocelyn Briski- 153
Batting average: Karley Shelton- .358
RBIs: Tori Ensley- 45
Home runs: Tori Ensley- 113
ERA: Jori Heard- 1.77
Wins: Jori Heard- 11
Strikeouts: Jori Heard- 113
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than four years at the helm of the Alabama Department of Corrections, Commissioner John Hamm is officially retiring, Governor Kay Ivey announced Tuesday.
Hamm, who served in law enforcement for more than 35 years, came to the post in January 2022. During his tenure, state officials point to a range of developments within the corrections system, including progress on the construction of two new men’s prisons, increased recruitment and retention of corrections officers, and enforcement of stricter conduct policies for staff and inmates.
“It has been the honor of my serve to serve in Governor Ivey’s Administration, and I thank her for giving me that opportunity and empowering me to lead the Department of Corrections forward,” Hamm said. “Governor Ivey’s unwavering support for the Department has been outstanding. When I started at Corrections in 2022, Governor Ivey gave me the charge of making the Department better and with her support, as well as the support of her staff and the hardworking men and women of ADOC, we have accomplished that.”
In a statement, Ivey credited Hamm with helping advance improvements within the department, while noting that ongoing efforts remain. She also announced her appointment of corrections and law enforcement veteran Greg Lovelace as Hamm’s replacement.
She said Lovelace’s experience in corrections and law enforcement positions him to continue that work through the remainder of her term.
Lovelace brings more than 3 decades of corrections experience to the position. During his tenure within the Department of Corrections, he oversaw maintenance and construction projects while management all prisons within the system.
The Governor called him a “true public servant” who is “once again answering the call to lend his leadership to the state.”
Lovelace will begin his tenure on May 1.
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Alabama
‘I want to see lower rates in Alabama’: Britt presses Energy Secretary on lowering power bills
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) pressed Energy Secretary Chris Wright on lowering energy costs for Alabama families during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing reviewing the Department of Energy’s fiscal year 2027 budget request.
Britt opened her questioning by focusing on data center development and its impact on residential ratepayers.
“We have to keep that compute power advantage. That is critically important,” Britt said. “But in the larger conversation, we want to make sure that that advantage and the cost of that doesn’t actually fall on family’s power bills. Between 2021 and 2025, we saw residential power bills go up in this nation over 40%. It’s totally unacceptable.”
She noted that wholesale electricity prices in data center heavy regions surged over 250% during the same period, and credited the Trump Administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge and Energy Dominance Financing announcement with freezing rates in Alabama and Georgia.
“But ultimately, we’ve got to figure out how do we drill down and how do we actually lower rates, not just freeze them?” Britt said. “I want to see lower rates in Alabama.”
Wright outlined steps the department is taking to bring costs down.
“We worked with you and the Senate and the House to finally end the 34 years of wind subsidies and solar subsidies,” Wright said. “We’re focusing on, in the short term, how can we get more out of our existing grid? We’re upgrading hydro facilities. We’re upgrading natural gas facilities. We’ve restarted a nuclear power plant, which will have a ribbon cutting on very soon.”
Britt also raised grid cybersecurity and workforce development, citing work underway at Auburn University through SERC-3, and asked Wright to dedicate budget resources to grid security workforce needs. Wright confirmed the department’s commitment.
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
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