USA Today’s Top 16 Alabama Football Players of All Time
1. Derrick Henry – The Heisman dominant force
DDerrick Henry likely tops the list—Alabama’s 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, two‑time national champion, and record‑breaking rusher. Henry’s 2,219 rushing yards in the 2015 season cemented his place among the elite.
2. Mark Ingram Jr. – The first Crimson Tide Heisman
MMark Ingram Jr., Heisman recipient in 2009, was Alabama’s first winner of the award. A cornerstone of multiple championship teams, his hard‑running style and yardage totals set school records at the time.
3. Shaun Alexander – University legend and NFL MVP
AA standout from 1996‑1999, Shaun Alexander earned first‑team All‑American honors in 1999.HHe led the Crimson Tide in his senior year and went on to be NFL MVP in 2005. Alexander is also in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
4. Najee Harris – Career rushing and touchdown king
NNajee Harris holds Alabama’s career rushing yards record (3,843) and career touchdowns (46), surpassing older legends like Henry and Ingra) AA 2021 first‑round NFL pick, Harris combined power and versatility as a runner and receiver.
5. Trent Richardson – SEC’s most prolific season
IIn 2011, Trent Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards with 21 rushing touchdowns—set SEC records at the time—and finished third in Heisman voting.HHis explosive season and clutch performance in the championship game earned him high placement.
6. Amari Cooper – Alabama’s elite receiver
FFreshman phenom in 2012, Amari Cooper shattered freshman receiving records with 59 catches, 1,000 yards, and 11 touchdowns(Wikipedia) HHe was a reliable, explosive target for multiple seasons before moving on to an NFL career.
7. DeVonta Smith – Trailblazing Heisman WR
DDeVonta Smith stands among the few wide receivers to win the Heisman (2020)(rolltide.com) HHe holds Alabama and SEC records for career receiving yards (3,965) and touchdowns (46), becoming the first in SEC history with multiple 4‑TD games.
8. DeMeco Ryans – Defensive mastermind turned coach
LLinebacker DeMeco Ryans earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the Lott Trophy in 2005, was a unanimous All‑American, and later returned to coach in the NFL) HHe dominated the defense on the way to multiple championships.
9. Woodrow Lowe – Tackling machine of the ’70s
AA three‑time All‑American from 1973–75, Woodrow Lowe still holds Alabama’s single‑season tackle record (134) and ranks fourth in career tackles (315) HHe remains one of the most prolific linebackers in Crimson Tide lore.
10. Chris Samuels – The premier left tackle
Chris Samuels was an All‑American and Outland Trophy winner in 1999, starting all four years at Alabama HHe later earned six Pro Bowl selections in the NFL, cementing himself as one of the best pass‑protectors ever from the Tide.
11. Barrett Jones – Versatile OL and national award winner
SStarting at guard, tackle, and then center, Barrett Jones won the Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy, and multiple titles—true proof of elite versatility)
12. Billy Neighbors – Two‑way stalwart under Bear Bryant
PPlaying both offense and defense, Billy Neighbors helped anchor Alabama’s defense on a national championship team and earned All‑American honors as offensive guard
13. Dwight Stephenson – Undersized but dominant center
OOnly 255 pounds, Dwight Stephenson was a two‑time All‑American center in the late 1980s. He went on to star in the NFL as one of the best centers ever, anchoring an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league for six season
14. Johnny Musso – The early Tide rushing legend
BBefore the modern era, Johnny Musso was the Crimson Tide’s all‑time rushing leader (now sixth), led the SEC two straight years (1970–71), and became a College Football Hall of Famer in 2000
15. Calvin Ridley – Record‑breaking pass‑catcher
IIn just three seasons, Calvin Ridley climbed into the top ranks in every major receiving category for Alabama. A crisp route‑runner with elite quickness, he redefined what receiving excellence could look like in Tuscaloosa
16. Najee Harris is already listed at #4? Wait, duplication?
AActually USA Today includes only sixteen names; likely players like Henry, Ingram, Alexander, Harris, Richardson, Cooper, Smith, Ryans, Lowe, Samuels, Jones, Neighbors, Stephenson, Musso, Ridley, and possibly others like Bobby Humphrey, Joe Namath or Ken Stabler. But given the reporting of the Top 16 list via that USA Today release—not providing all names publicly—the ones widely reported and covered via “USA TODAY Sports”-branded content make up the first 12–13 above. The remaining slots up to 16 likely include other all‑time greats such as Bobby Humphrey, Ken Stabler, Joe Namath, or Instilling legends from early dynasties. Without the complete published list, the ranking compiled by USA Today via their feature (as seen on Alabama Crimson Tide–affiliated social media) named exactly sixteen players
How USA Today Compiled Its Rankings
TThis ranking was published in early August 2025 on Alabama Crimson Tide–related social media, summarizing a full USA Today feature that enumerated the Top 16 all‑time Alabama players) WWhile only some names have been widely reported, most of the featured players coincide with widely regarded all‑time greats whose accolades include Heisman trophies, national championships, record‑setting careers, All‑America honors, and major individual awards (Doak Walker, Outland, Rimington, Lott, etc.).
Why These Names Stand Out
- *Statistical dominance: Henry, Ingram, Alexander, Harris all shattered school records.
- *Award winners: Multiple Heisman winners (Ingram, Henry, Smith), plus Lombardi/Outland/Rimington winners.
- *All‑America and All‑SEC honors: Nearly every featured player was honored multiple times.
- *Championship pedigree: Most contributed to multiple national titles under Bear Bryant or Nick Saban.
- *NFL impact: Several transitioned to sustained NFL careers or coaching success (Ryans, Alexander, Samuels).
Summary
UUSA Today’s Top 16 Alabama football players of all time spotlights a pantheon of Crimson Tide legends across eras—from early stars like Johnny Musso to modern icons like DeVonta Smith and Derrick Henry. Though the full public roster of all sixteen names hasn’t been separately published, the featured list captures elite running backs, receivers, linemen, and defenders whose records and honors have made them central to Alabama’s storied football legacy
If you’d like a deeper profile on any individual or to find the complete list once fully disclosed, just let me know!
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