The Ten Best Alabama Football Quarterbacks Of All Time

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Alabama Crimson Tide mascot waves the Alabama flag during the 2015 SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators at the Georgia Dome. Alabama won 29-15. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Harry Gilmer

You thought it would be Joe Namath, well no disrespect to Broadway Joe, but we think Harry Gilmer is the best Alabama Football quarterback of all time.

Harry Gilmer is not a name that every Crimson Tide fan knows, but it’s a name every Crimson Tide fan should know.

Gilmer was born in Birmingham Alabama in 1926 and went to Woodlawn High School. Gilmer was a great innovator and was best known for his jumping in the air and then passing the ball. Gilmer played football as a child with kids that were much older than him. So to combat the height difference he would jump in the air as he threw the ball. Harry Gilmer was the original jump pass. Take that Tim Tebow.

Gilmer had an enormous career with the Tide:

He passed for 26 touchdowns.

He ran for 24 touchdowns.

He passed for 2894 yards.

He ran for 1673 yards.

He PUNTED an average of 36.4 yards.

He RETURNED punts an average of 13.5 yards.

He RETURNED kickoffs an average of 28.7 yards.

Oh and he played some defensive back too.

Harry Gilmer could do anything on a football field.

Gilmer’s biggest success with the Crimson Tide might have been leading the Tide to the 1946 Rose Bowl where he helped to beat USC 34-14. Gilmer was the MVP of the Rose Bowl that year.

Gilmer was the SEC player of the year, all SEC, and an All-American in 1945.

Gilmer was the first pick in the 1948 draft and went to the pro bowl twice. He then coached the Detroit Lions for a year after he retired as a player in the NFL.

Next: Tide Ranked 2nd Greatest Program of All-Time

Harry Gilmer was the original Mr. Football of the Crimson Tide.

What did you think of our list? Who would you have in your top 10 Alabama quarterbacks? Let us know in the comments below.