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 …
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— A little rain couldn’t dampen Alabama’s party.
Patrick Murphy and the Crimson Tide held a Sweet 16 party inside Rhoads Stadium on Saturday. For the 16th time in Murphy’s 28 seasons as head coach, the Crimson Tide is heading to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.
Top-ranked Alabama continued its perfect path through the NCAA Tournament, outlasting No. 16 LSU 4-1 after two lengthy rain delays to complete the sweep through the Tuscaloosa Super Regional.
A Sweet 16 celebration is suiting for a Tide team coming of age at the most crucial time of the year. In its five tournament games, the Alabama has backed up its No. 1 billing, maintaining an unblemished record while out scoring its opponents by a combined 31-1.
“This team has just been unbelievably selfless,” Murphy said after the win. “They’ve been full of gratitude. They’ve been competitive. They’ve been hard working, gritty. I mean, all the words you love as a coach–– this has been this team. You don’t want to jinx it or whatever because anybody can beat anybody, you guys all know that, and so I’m thrilled as can be that this group gets to go to the Women’s College World Series.
Alabama was able to recalibrate and shut down LSU after two separate rain delays that totaled around four hours. The Tide spent time during the delay eating softball, watching other softball super regionals around the country and playing intense card games.
But when it came time to head back to the field, it was all business.
For the second game in a row, Alexis Pupillo provided the spark plug for the Crimson Tide offense before the first delay. LSU starter Jayden Heavener held Alabama hitless through the first three innings (despite allowing a run on a walk and three wild pitches in the third), but Pupillo broke up the no-hitter with a solo home run to right field to reclaim the lead for Alabama at 2-1 to open the fourth inning.
The Tide put together a two-out rally later in the frame with three straight hits from Audrey Vandagriff, Ambrey Taylor and Salen Hawkins. Taylor busted out of her hitless streak in the NCAA tournament with a hard double, and Hawkins drove both runners in with a 2-RBI single.
Hawkins came into the NCAA tournament on a eight-game hitless streak but has three big hits for the Crimson Tid ein each of its last three postseason wins.
“I’m been working my butt off,” Hawkins said. “After practice, I go hit with my dad some more. I just wanted to come through for my team. I just wanted to help contribute in some way and just get some runs on the scoreboard.”
Saturday’s game showed that Alabama’s pitchers aren’t just robots as the Tide gave up its first run of the NCAA tournament on an RBI single from LSU’s Tori Edwards in the bottom of the third. Vic Moten dealt with some traffic on the base paths but stepped up in one of the biggest starts of her young career, only allowing the one run over four innings pitched.
“My intangible for the team is bringing energy,” Moten said. “Whenever I pitch, I want to put us in the best position possible.”
After the second rain delay, Alabama junior ace Jocelyn Briski came in to close it out over the final three innings. She did not allow a run, striking out five batters.
LSU didn’t go down without a fight, but behind a raucous Rhoads crowd, the Crimson Tide prevailed. Alabama was picked in the preseason to finish ninth in the SEC and is now headed to Oklahoma City as the top overall seed and one of the favorites to win a national title.
Alabama will face the winner of the Los Angeles Super Regional between No. 8 UCLA and UCF in its opening game at the Women’s College World Series.
This story will be updated.
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Softball
May 22, 2026
Alabama’s Jocelyn Briski shuts out LSU with 11 strikeouts in super regional win
May 22, 2026
Watch every strikeout from Alabama pitching star Jocelyn Briski’s shutout win over LSU in the Crimson Tide’s 2026 NCAA softball super regionals opener.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— LSU leadoff hitter Jalia Lassiter came inches away from taking Jocelyn Briski deep on the first at bat Friday night. The Tigers bats didn’t come close to threatening the Alabama ace after that.
Briski continued her dominance in the circle, striking out 11 batters over seven scoreless innings to lead the top-ranked Crimson Tide to a 7-0 win over No. 16 LSU in the first game of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional.
LSU put a scare into the Rhoads Stadium crowd, as Lassiter’s lined a leadoff double off the top of the left field wall. However, with the help of a highlight snag by third baseman Ambrey Taylor, Briski pitched her way out of the first-inning jam unscathed.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a super regional where the leadoff hits a double, and then nothing after that,” Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said after the game. “You guys got to witness some really good pitching tonight.”
The junior flamethrower was brilliant from there. Briski didn’t allow another LSU hit after Lassiter’s leadoff double. She retired 21 straight batters to close out the game. The Crimson Tide pitching staff still has not allowed a run in the NCAA tournament through four games. It was the 26th shutout of the season.
“I think it was a miss pitch on my part,” Briski said of the double. “But I think the defense just did a great job behind me. Knowing that it was the first inning, there was really no reason to press at all. If they score a run or two, I know our offense is going to come through and score. I think it was just a great game, and the girls went and scored in the first inning right way, so it just took off a lot of pressure for the rest of the game for me.”
Alabama’s bats backed up their ace at the plate with seven runs on 10 hits. The Tide offense came out hot with a two-run first inning highlighted by an RBI single from Audrey Vandagriff and a double from Alexis Pupillo that Murphy said was one of the hardest-hit balls he’s ever seen at Rhoads. Pupillo added on with her 18th home run of the season with a solo shot in the third inning.
“It was just a really good first inning, and I thought it really set the tone,” Murphy said.
Second baseman Jena Young provided the big blow that put the game completely out of reach with a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning. Young now has seven hits and seven RBIs in the NCAA tournament.
Because of Briski’s efficiency, Alabama will have its full pitching staff available for Saturday’s game. LSU used two pitchers: starter Patyn Monticelli and reliever Cece Cellura. Jayden Heavener will likely get the start for the Tigers in the second game. Even though Murphy wouldn’t say, it will probably be freshman Vic Moten for the Tide.
Alabama is now one win away from a trip back to the Women’s College World Series. Game 2 between the Crimson Tide and Tigers is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday.
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