Over the past quarter-century, Alabama football has experienced its fair share of highs and lows — most notably the dominant era under head coach Nick Saban, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history. To celebrate this impressive stretch, AL.com has put together their picks for the best Alabama Crimson Tide players from 2000 to 2025.
Offense Highlights
At quarterback, the nod goes to Tua Tagovailoa, who narrowly edged out other stars like Jalen Hurts and Bryce Young. Tua’s unforgettable moment came in the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship game, where he threw the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Georgia.
The running back group features two Heisman winners: Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram, while the wide receiver spot includes DeVonta Smith and Julio Jones, both of whom had standout college careers before moving on to the NFL.
Tight end O.J. Howard earned unanimous praise, being recognized as one of the most reliable and productive players in recent Alabama history.
Defensive Standouts
On defense, players like Will Anderson Jr., Marcell Dareus, Quinnen Williams, and Jonathan Allen made the cut, representing Alabama’s strong defensive tradition.
The linebacker corps boasts names such as Rolando McClain, Reuben Foster, and C.J. Mosley — all decorated with multiple honors including All-SEC selections and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
In the secondary, Patrick Surtain II and Minkah Fitzpatrick stand out as the top cornerback and safety choices respectively, highlighting Alabama’s continued excellence in producing NFL-ready defensive backs.
Special Teams and More
Special teams include kicker Will Reichard and punter JK Scott, both consistent contributors over their Alabama careers.
AL.com’s staff invites fans to share their thoughts on the selections and look forward to unveiling similar quarter-century teams for Auburn and the Iron Bowl rivalry in the near future.
Meet the Greatest Alabama Players of the Last 25 Years, According to AL.com
