Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) throws the ball against the Florida Gators during the second quarter in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama Football quarterbacks are called “game managers” by the media, but if you look at the history of the Crimson Tide you’ll see that Alabama quarterbacks have been some of the most talented and dynamic players to ever pass a ball.
Alabama Football isn’t just about defense and running the ball, the Tide has also seen its fair share of great quarterbacks. Let’s take a look at the ten best quarterbacks to ever play for The Crimson Tide.
#10 Jay Barker
Jay Barker came to Tuscaloosa after his 1990 graduation from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville, AL. Barker became the starter partway through the 1991 season, taking over for injured Danny Woodson late in the Tennessee game and continuing to start after Woodson was suspended before the LSU game.
He led the comeback to beat the Volunteers for the sixth consecutive year, then beat LSU, Memphis, and Auburn to finish the regular season. Alabama Football finished second in the SEC and beat #15 Colorado in the Blockbuster Bowl.
Alabama’s elite defense and Jay Barker led the Tide to an undefeated season in 1992 to win the national title, including a win in the first-ever SEC Championship Game.
The Tide came back in 1993 hoping to defend their national title and rolled to a 5-0 start before tying Tennessee. Alabama then stumbled through the rest of the regular season, dropping games to Auburn and LSU. Because of NCAA sanctions against Auburn, Alabama still advanced to the SEC Championship Game to play Florida. In spite of a loss to the Gators, Alabama advanced to the Gator Bowl and beat North Carolina.
Jay Barker was a captain of the 1994 team. Alabama Football entered the SEC Championship Game undefeated but lost to Florida. The Tide finished the season with a win over Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. Barker was the 1994 SEC Player of the Year and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Barker was drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers and later played for the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. In 1998 he was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, then he returned to his home state as a member of the XFL’s Birmingham Thunderbolts. Jay is currently a host on Jox 94.5 in Birmingham.
Next: #9 Steve Sloan
Sep 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans cheer during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
#9 Steve Sloan
Steve Sloan came to Tuscaloosa in 1962 from Cleveland, TN. After sitting out as a freshman in 1962, he backed up quarterback Joe Namath and played defensive back as a sophomore. Sloan was called on to start against Miami and again in the Sugar Bowl due to Namath suspensions.
In 1964 Sloan continued to start while Namath was hurt. The Tide started the year at No.6 and went 10-0 in the regular season.
The offense became Sloan’s in 1965, after Namath signed with the New York Jets. After throwing a pick-6 in a loss on the road in the season opener to Georgia, Sloan led the Tide to three straight conference wins before tying the Tennessee Volunteers. After the tie, Alabama won the rest of their regular season games including an Iron Bowl game where Auburn was held without a touchdown.
Alabama Football advanced to play Nebraska in the Orange Bowl for the second year in a row. Alabama won the game 39-28 to secure their spot as AP National Champions.
Sloan was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and after a brief career as a backup started coaching at the collegiate level. After two years as an offensive coordinator, he was named the head coach at Vanderbilt. After two seasons he took the same job at Texas Tech where he coached the Red Raiders to two bowl appearances in three years. He later coached at Ole Miss and at Duke.
In 1987, Steve Sloan became the athletic director at the University of Alabama. He later worked in the same position at North Texas, UCF, and Chattanooga.
Next: #8 Greg McElory
Dec 2, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) leaves the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
#8 Greg McElroy
Greg McElroy was recruited by Mike Shula and came to the Tide from Southlake, Texas in 2006. He started as a senior at Carroll Senior High School, going undefeated to win a 5A state championship. His 56 touchdowns that season are first all-time in Texas 5A and second in Texas high school football. McElroy was named the Texas 5A player of the year.
After redshirting his freshman year under coach Mike Shula, McElroy backed up John Parker Wilson in 2007 and 2008. He took the starting job with little drama in spring practice in 2009.
His first start against Virginia Tech was shaky in the first half, but he settled in late in the game and by the end of September the former concern on the offense was one of the most efficient passers in the country. Mark Ingram helped the Tide survive an October slump in production from McElroy, but the quarterback came back triumphantly to win a dramatic Iron Bowl. He then outperformed Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow in the 2009 SEC Championship Game to secure MVP honors.
In the 2010 Alabama Football season, McElroy set a single-season school passing record. He also finished his career with 116 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception.
McElroy was also extremely successful in the classroom. He was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist in 2010 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a National Football Foundation scholar/athlete.
He was selected by the New York Jets in the 7th round of the NFL Draft. He retired from the NFL in 2014 and now works as an on-screen analyst for the SEC Network.
Next: #7 Steadman Shealy Jr.
Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Alabama Crimson Tide logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
#7 Steadman Shealy Jr.
Steadman Shealy of Dothan, AL came to Tuscaloosa in 1976. He backed up quarterback Jeff Rutledge on the 1978 national championship team and was the quarterback on Bear Bryant’s sixth and final national championship team in 1979.
The ‘79 team’s 12-0 mark was Alabama’s seventh perfect season in program history but Bear Bryant’s first and only. Shealy became the first Alabama QB to lead his offense in both passing and rushing since Kenny Stabler in 1966. The offense scored at least 30 points seven times, including scoring 27 unanswered points to come back to beat Tennessee 27-17.
After falling behind 18-17 early in the fourth quarter to Auburn, the Tide got the ball back with almost 12 minutes on the clock and Shealy led the game-winning 82-yard touchdown drive and ran for a two-point conversion to secure a 25-18 win in the Iron Bowl.
The win sent Alabama Football to the Sugar Bowl to face the Southwest Conference champion Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tide handled the Hogs and became the undisputed national champions following Ohio State’s bowl loss.
After graduation, Shealy stayed in the program as a graduate assistant and attended law school at UA. He practices law in Dothan, where he lives with his family.
His wife Ann was the first scholarship gymnast at the University of Alabama and completed on head coach Sarah Patterson’s first team. In 2007, their daughter Jacqueline became the first legacy gymnast at Alabama when she signed on to compete for Coach Patterson.
Next: #6 Bart Starr
Jan. 14, 1968; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Green Bay Packers quarterbacks Zeke Bratkowski (12) and Bart Starr (15) celebrate near the end of Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders at the Orange Bowl. The Packers defeated the Raiders 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Press-Gazette/USA TODAY Sports
#6 Bart Starr
Bart Starr was born on January 9, 1934, in Montgomery Alabama and he “ain’t never been nothin’ but a winner”.
Some of today’s NFL players might claim that all they do is win, but for Bart Starr that was the reality… but it took him a little time to get there. Starr’s time at Alabama was an up and down affair plagued by injury that kept him sidelined for most of his junior and senior years (which is why he isn’t higher on this list). Once he got to the NFL though, everything changed. Starr actually only got a shot at the NFL because he was recommended to the Packers personnel director by Alabama’s basketball coach Johnny Dee.
Bart Starr had a 9-1 playoff record in the NFL and led the Packers to five championships and Super Bowls I and II. Starr was the MVP of both Super Bowls he played in. Starr went to four Pro Bowls and was also the NFL’s MVP in 1966. All of this after a mediocre college career at Alabama and being drafted 200th overall in the 17th round of the 1956 draft.
Starr is the perfect example of a player who didn’t reach his full potential until he got to the NFL. Starr may not be remembered for wild success on the field at Alabama, but he was undoubtably one of the greats at quarterback none the less.
Starr also coached the Green Bay Packers from 1975-1983.
Next: Pat Trammell
Sep 13, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide fans crown around the Paul Bear Bryant statue prior the the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
#5 Pat Trammell
Pat Trammell from Scottsboro, AL was Bear Bryant’s first quarterback and Bear Bryant’s first star.
Before committing to Alabama Football, Trammell had planned to play for Coach Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech. But his plans changed when Coach Bear Bryant mentioned to Trammell’s family on a visit to his home that if Pat came to Alabama, he’d come too.
During the 1959 season, sophomore Pat Trammell led the Tide in total offense and in 1960 he lead the team in scoring.
In 1961 Pat Trammell quarterbacked the Alabama Football to a perfect season and a unanimous national championship, the program’s first since the leadership of coach Frank Thomas.
Trammell was the player chosen to accompany Coach Bryant to New York for the presentation of the MacArthur Trophy. Bryant and Trammel accepted the trophy from President John F. Kennedy on national television at a black tie gala hosted by Bob Hope.
Trammell was the 1961 SEC Player of the Year and a NCAA Academic All-American. His hand- and footprints are cemented in front of Denny Chimes as a permanent captain for the 1961 team
Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi tried to get Alabama Football coach Bear Bryant to convince Pat Trammell to play for the Packers after graduation, but Bryant said that Trammell was too smart. Pat completed an undergraduate degree summa cum laude in Physical Chemical and went on to medical school.
Two Alabama Football records still belong to Pat Trammell – lowest interception percentage for a single season (1.5%, 1960) and lowest career interception percentage.
Next: #4 AJ McCarron
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) celebrates after a touchdown pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
#4 AJ McCarron
AJ McCarron joined the Tide in 2009 after a standout career at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, AL. He redshirted in the 2009 season, then backed up Greg McElroy during the 2010 campaign.
In 2011 McCarron used games against Kent State and Penn State to secure the starting job over Phillip Sims and spent the next three seasons as the face of the Alabama offense.
The 2011 Alabama Football offense was run-first on the back of Trent Richardson, giving McCarron time to settle into his role as a starter and ease his way to success. His performance in the National Championship game against LSU (23-34, 234 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT) earned him Offensive MVP honors.
A 291 pass streak that started in 2011 and ended in the 2012 season is a SEC record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception.
Amari Cooper’s arrival in 2012 gave McCarron his highest yards per attempt for a season in his career. AJ led the country in passer efficiency and set a school record for single-season passing touchdowns (30).
He threw a 44-yard touchdown to Cooper to take the lead against UGA to clinch a berth in a second national championship game. McCarron was nearly flawless against Notre Dame in the championship game, throwing for four touchdowns.
In 2013, McCarron was an all-SEC selection, broke Greg McElroy’s school record for single-season passing yards, and became Alabama’s all-time passing yards leader. He won the Maxwell Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, where he is still on the roster as Andy Dalton’s backup.
Next: # 3 Kenny Stabler
September 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Family of former Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler lit the Al Davis eternal flame before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
#3 Kenny Stabler
Kenny “The Snake” Stabler was Alabama Football royalty. The Snake was the kind of football player that Alabama fans love; he was tough, talented, and cocky.
Kenny Stabler was born in Foley, Alabama on December 25, 1945… so when you open your presents on Christmas morning think of the Snake.
Stabler was an extremely talented all-around athlete in high school and turned down contract offers from the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees to go to Alabama and play football.
Kenny Stabler came to Alabama in 1964, but couldn’t play because at the time the NCAA forbid freshmen from playing. (It’s good to see that the NCAA has always been ridiculous.) Stabler didn’t play much in 1965 either as he was backing up Steve Sloan. This means that Bear Bryant had Joe Namath, Steve Sloan, and Kenny Stabler. Wow.
Stabler’s first season as the Crimson Tide’s quarterback ended with an 11-0 record and a blowout of Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl.
Stabler’s Senior season didn’t go as well with him ending up kicked off the team for a while for cutting class. That year, however, did contain what would become known as “The Run in the Mud”. While trailing Auburn in an Iron Bowl Stabler ran for 53 yards to win the game. Bear Bryant said he could watch that play forever.
Stabler played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders from 1970-1979 and won Super Bowl XI. Stabler went to four NFL Pro Bowls as well.
Kenny Stabler joined Eli Gold as the color commentator for Alabama football on the radio until 2008. Listening to the Snake became a favorite pastime of Alabama Football fans during the 2000s.
Kenny Stabler also wrote a children’s book called “Roll Tide!”.
Sadly the Snake passed away this year, he was 70 years old.
Next: #2 Joe Namath
Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide former quarterback Joe Namath greets other Alabama Crimson Tide alumnus before the game against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
#2 Joe Namath
Joe Namath of Beaver Falls, PA played for the Crimson Tide from 1961-1964. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and turned down offers from multiple MLB teams to take a scholarship from Coach Bear Bryant.
He led the Tide to a 9-1 record in the 1962 regular season, including the fourth consecutive shutout of Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Namath was responsible for three touchdowns against Auburn. Alabama went on to beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Namath started the first ten games of the 1963 season, leading Alabama to an 8-2 record. He was suspended for the last two games of the season and did not play against Miami or in the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss.
In spite of a nagging knee injury, Namath was the star of the 1964 national championship team. He was an all-SEC and an all-American selection in 1964.
The New York Jets selected Joe Namath with the first overall pick in the 1964 AFL Draft. In 1969, Joe Namath and the Jets won Super Bowl III, making Namath the first quarterback to start in and win a national championship in college and at the professional level.
Namath’s going to the Jets is also how Alabama ended up adopting houndstooth. New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin gave Bear Bryant his first houndstooth hat as a thank you for suggesting that the Jets draft Namath.
Joe Namath was the original celebrity quarterback. He appeared in print advertisements and TV shows. When ABC first broadcasted Monday Night Football in 1970, they deliberately showcased Joe Namath’s Jets.
In 1981, Joe Namath was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of the 1985 NFL Hall of Fame class.
Next: #1 Harry Gilmer
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.