Building an all-time Alabama football offense

Alabama football has produced hundreds of talented players in its rich program’s history. Many of the Crimson Tide’s greatest players have experienced at least one of the Tide’s 18 national championships.

“Defense wins championships” is an old saying that Nick Saban likely agrees with, but today, offenses have improved and become more important than ever before.

But the question at hand is this; what would an all-time Alabama offense look like?

QB: Bryce Young (2020-22)

Choosing a quarterback is the hardest decision for an all-time Alabama offense because of the amount of options to choose from. Players like Joe Namath and Bart Star come to mind, but arguments can be made that the current era of competition is more difficult than it was back in the day.

When taking a glance at the modern era of Alabama quarterback, Young is the only quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy. Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones were finalists for the award, but they did not win.

Young won his Heisman in 2021 and finished the season with 4872 passing yards and 47 touchdowns.

RB1: Derrick Henry (2013-15)

When Henry’s football career is over, he will go down as arguably one of the hardest players to tackle in the open field. Henry is an absolute unit and has created numerous viral moments by stiff-arming defenders into the dirt.

Henry averaged six yards a carry during his time in Tuscaloosa. He scored 42 touchdowns on the ground and led Alabama to their first national title in the College Football Playoff era.

RB2: Mark Ingram II (2008-10)

Ingram was the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy, winning the prestigious award in 2009. He rushed for 1,658 yards and led the team to a national championship victory.

WR1: Devonta Smith (2017-20)

In 2020, Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991.

Smith’s teammate, Jaylen Waddle, suffered a season-ending injury that year. Smith took on an even larger role as Alabama’s top pass catcher, and he hauled in 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns.

WR2: Julio Jones (2008-10)

Jones is regarded as one of the first players to flourish in the Saban era. He won a national championship in 2009, but 2010 was his best season in a crimson uniform. Jones caught 78 passes for 1133 yards and 7 touchdowns.

WR3: Amari Cooper (2012-14)

In his freshman season, Cooper made an impact right away, catching 59 passes for 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also won a national championship in 2012.

Cooper was a Heisman finalist at the end of his junior year in 2014. He hauled in 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns.

TE: O.J. Howard (2013-16)

Howard became a legend when he went for 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns versus Clemson in Alabama’s first College Football Playoff championship game.

There is a case to be made for Ozzie Newsome to be here, but he did not play tight end until he reached the NFL. He was a wideout at Alabama.

T: Chris Samuels (1996-99)

Samuels did not allow a single quarterback pressure in the 1999 season and was also a unanimous All-American that season.

G: John Hannah (1970-72)

Hannah was a two-time All-American at Alabama and is part of the NFL’s 100th anniversary All-time team after playing 13 seasons for the Patriots.

C: Dwight Stephenson (1977-79)

Stephenson was a three-time All-SEC selection at center and earned All-American honors his senior year.

G: Chance Warmack (2009-12)

Warmack earned unanimous All-American honors in 2012, and he won three national championships in four seasons with the Crimson Tide.

T: Andre Smith (2006-08)

Smith stepped in at tackle as a freshman, and he never looked back. Smith won the Outland Trophy 2008, giving up a single sack that season.