Alabama Football under Nick Saban has become a college football recruiting Goliath. The parade of elite players marching into Tuscaloosa appears to never end. Elite 5-Star players are expected to shine, 4-Star players are expected to fight their way to Tide greatness.
In the Saban process, all those stars must be discarded no later than the first day of Scott Cochrane’s 4th quarter strength and conditioning program. From that day forward, talent has no privilege. All that matters is work, rep after rep after rep.
In this college football meritocracy, some 5-Stars fail and some 3-Star players rise. Let’s look back and assess which 3-Star recruits achieved the most success.
A little background is needed before we move on. In the analysis that follows, the standard for defining a 3-Star player is the 247 Sports Composite rating. Every recruiting season, 247 Sports takes their own player ranking and melds it with the ranking of Rivals, Scout and ESPN. The result is the 247 Sports Composite ranking of the nation’s recruits.
Recruit rankings go back to the 1970’s but 247 Sports did not rank players below the 4-Star level until 2002. The following list of players was compiled from all the 3-Star players signed by Alabama going back to 2002.
In counting down from No. 30 to No. 1, each player’s college and professional career was considered. Added credit was given to All-Americans and National Championship starters.
A quick explanation before we get started. D.J. Hall was a 3-Star recruit as the result of a high school injury. Prior to his injury, he was a 4-Star recruit. We begin our countdown with D. J. at No. 30, simply due to lack of clarity about his high school ranking.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 30. D.J. Hall
- Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Wide Receiver (2004-2008)
- 2004 Recruit Ranking: No. 620 player in the nation
- No. 2 Alabama Record Book for Career Receptions (194)
- No. 5 Alabama Record Book for Single-Season Receptions (67)
Hall played as a true freshman in 2004, catching 17 passes. In 2005 he led the Tide with 48 catches and five touchdowns.
In 2006 Hall went over 1000 yards in receiving with a team-leading 57 receptions.
Despite a sometimes antagonistic relationship with Nick Saban in 2007, Hall pulled in 63 receptions and scored six touchdowns.
However fans choose to define what was lacking in D. J. Hall, talent catching the football was never in doubt.
Hall went undrafted in 2008 but he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Giants. The Giants waived him before the end of the summer and he became a practice squad member of the Oakland Raiders a few months later.
Hall’s toughness was consistently in question with NFL scouts. The line that “he wouldn’t go over the middle, even with a hundred dollar bill laying on the turf” has been repeated so often it is impossible to assign it attribution.
The tales of Hall’s personal failings are disappointing. None of them are recounted here.
He wandered around the Canadian League and the Arena League for a couple of seasons before the end of his football career.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 29. Ramzee Robinson
- Huntsville, AL
- Defensive Back and Kick Returner (2002-2006)
- 2002 Recruit Ranking: No. 715 in the nation
Ramzee was a high school quarterback and defensive back and had several scholarship opportunities. He chose Alabama football partly so his single-parent mother could see him play.
Robinson was a redshirt in 2002. Ramzee earned his first starting assignment, the last game of his redshirt freshman season. He kept that starting role at cornerback for the following three seasons. He started in 36 consecutive games during his Alabama football career.
Robinson was a physically gifted player in the secondary. He often drew the assignment of covering the opponent’s best receiver.
Robinson recorded four interceptions and one touchdown during his Alabama football career. Those stats do not come close to explaining Ramzee’s importance to the team in the 2004-2006 seasons.
Robinson was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Ramzee was the last player chosen and became Mr. Irrevalent for 2007. Robinson played in 19 games for the Lions in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 he played a total of seven games for Philadelphia and Cleveland.
During 2010-2102 Ramzee worked on a return to the NFL with Cleveland, Washington and Denver. He did not reach the regular season roster with any of the three teams.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 28. Brad Smelley
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Tight End (2008-2011)
- 2008 Recruit Ranking: No. 948 in the nation
Brad Smelley was a high school quarterback at American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa. He was also a talented baseball player who became a receiver at Alabama and grew into a key offensive role as an H-back.
Brad Smelley was a starter for Alabama football in 2011. He played in 49 games in his Crimson Tide career. In his four seasons, he caught 54 passes for a total of 559 yards. In the 2011 national championship season, Smelley was a key receiver for quarterback A.J. McCarron. In 2011 Smelley caught 34 passes and four of his catches went for touchdowns.
Take a look at a McCarron to Smelley connection in the Iron Bowl.
Smelley was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the 274th pick in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Browns viewed Smelley as a versatile player, who could perform at fullback and tight end.
Smelley saw limited regular-season game action in the NFL. He played in two games for the Browns in 2012 and two games for the Houston Texans in 2013. Smelley also was a member of the practice squad for the St. Louis Rams and Los Angeles Rams in 2013, 2014 and signed a futures contract with the Rams in 2016.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 27. Marquis Maze
- Birmingham, AL
- Wide Receiver; Kick Returner (2007-2011)
- 2007 Recruit Ranking: No. 449 player in the nation
Marquis Maze was a Mr. Everything player at Tarrant High School. Maze played quarterback, running back, receiver, defensive back and kick returner. He had attractive options for college outside Alabama. Tennessee and Michigan fought hard to get Marquis to sign, but he chose Alabama football.
Maze redshirted in 2007. In 53 games from 2008-2011, Maze caught 136 passes for 1844 yards and eight touchdowns. He also returned 56 kicks for one touchdown.
Marquis Maze was a major contributor for Alabama football, most notably in the 2011 championship season.
Alabama football fans will long remember the play below, late in the Auburn game. Auburn was beaten and Greg McElroy was at the offensive helm for what most expected to be mop-up duty. Surprise and joy abounded in Bryant-Denny as McElroy and Maze put a dagger in Auburn Tiger hearts with the marvelous touchdown below.
Maze was not drafted in the NFL and signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maze did not succeed as a NFL player.
In 2015 Marquis posted the message below on Instagram, thanking Nick Saban for guiding him into manhood.
"“I just want to take the time out to publicly thank the greatest coach and one of the best father figures I ever had in my life for giving me the opportunity to play for the greatest school on earth The University of Alabama, not only did u make me a better football player u also made me the man that I am today and I’m am proud that u are my coach for life. We had some bad days and we had some good ones but most of all u showed me how to overcome adversity. With that being said I have nothing but love for you Coach Saban and I really appreciate the love in return and those 2 Natties!!!!!”"
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 26. Kevin Norwood
- Biloxi, MS
- Wide Receiver (2009-2013)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: No. 323 ranked player in the nation
Most Alabama football fans know Kevin Norwood as “Mr. Clutch”, a name earned from big performances in big games. It is a good moniker, but not the best for Kevin. A more accurate name would be “Mr. Resilent.”
Kevin and his family struggled in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as reported by USA Today.
"“I was in ninth grade. We had no lights, no water, no food. Every day, (we) would get on our bikes and go find food to help our family out, go find bottles of water because you couldn’t drink the water – it was contaminated. So many of those nights … getting eaten up by mosquitoes … We had the windows down, but it was still hot. We had no electricity, so we couldn’t turn on the fan … I know God wanted me to experience (it), just to make sure I stay humble and make sure I appreciate everything I have today.”"
It was not easy for Kevin when he got to Alabama either, as he lost confidence during a redshirt season. Nick Saban wanted Kevin to move to defense. Kevin declined the option. He battled through injuries.
As a redshirt freshman in 2010, Norwood played in 13 games but only caught three passes. One of those passes was for a touchdown and a jubilant Kevin did a flip in the end zone after the catch. The antics did not please Nick Saban.
In 2011, with some increased playing time, Kevin caught 11 passes. After three years in Tuscaloosa, he had caught 14 passes and scored one touchdown that elicited an ass-chewing. Lesser young men would have transferred to another school. Not “Mr. Resilent.”
As a junior and a senior, Norwood caught 67 passes for 1029 yards and 11 touchdowns and zero backflips in the end zone. Some of those receptions were in the biggest of games, particularly the 2012 national championship game.
At the end of Kevin’s five years in Tuscaloosa, he had two degrees, two national championship rings and was voted by his teammates as a permanent captain. Resiliency paid off for Kevin Norwood.
The NFL has also been a difficult challenge for Kevin. In three NFL seasons, he was with three teams, Seattle, Carolina and the Giants. He appeared in only 10 regular-season games. He still deserves the title “Mr. Resilient.”
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 25. Vinnie Sunseri
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Safety (2011-2013)
- 2011 Recruit Ranking: 3-Star
The Sunseri’s are a family immersed in football. Dad, Sal has coached in college and the NFL since 1985. Tino Sunseri was a quarterback at Pittsburg and in the Canadian Football League. Sal was an Alabama assistant coach when Vinnie began his college career for the Tide. In Vinnie’s second season he played against his Dad who left the Tide to coach the Tennessee Vols.
As a freshman in 2011, Vinnie made his mark on special teams and worked his way into the defensive backfield rotation. In 2011, he recorded 31 tackles with 11 tackles coming in kickoff coverage.
As a sophomore in 2012, he played in all 14 games, getting eight starts. He was fourth on the team in tackles with 54 stops, three pass breakups and two interceptions.
In the 2013 season, Sunseri had two interceptions and returned both for touchdowns against Virginia Tech and Texas A&M.
Take a look at the Sunseri touchdown against the Aggies:
At the peak of his exploding college career, Sunseri tore an ACL. The injury would prove to be the end of his Crimson Tide career.
Sunseri was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. He played special teams and saw limited action in the secondary for the Saints. In November 2014, Sunseri broke his arm. He played in nine games for the Saints, making five tackles.
After a brief NFL career, Vinnie is on the Alabama Football staff.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 24. Brandon Deaderick
- Elizabethtown, KY
- Defensive Line, (2005-2009)
- 2005 Recruit Ranking: No. 288 Ranked Player in the Nation
Brandon Deaderick was a valued recruit despite only being rated as a 3-Star player. Besides Alabama, he had offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina State and Michigan State.
It took Brandon awhile to break into regular action for Alabama football. He redshirted in 2005 and played in only two games in 2006. He made seven starts in 2007 and was a starter the next two seasons, 2008 and 2009.
Less than a week before the season opener in 2009 Brandon was shot in the arm during an attempted robbery outside a Tuscaloosa apartment complex. The police report published by cbsnews.com quoted Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson.
"“the player (Deaderick) suffered a gunshot wound to the forearm. The player was in an apartment parking lot about 10 p.m. Monday when he was approached by a man wearing dark clothes, a dark ball cap and a blue bandanna over his face … Deaderick did not know the man, who pointed a gun and said ‘Give it up’, When Deaderick refused, the assailant fired the gun, striking the player in the arm.”"
Brandon spent one night in a Tuscaloosa hospital and only missed two football practices. Less than a week later, Deaderick played in the season opener against Virginia Tech. It is fitting that a player so dedicated would leave Tuscaloosa with a 2009 National Championship ring.
Brandon was drafted by New England in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played three seasons for the Patriots. In 2013 he played for Jacksonville and in 2014 Brandon played for the New Orleans Saints.
In his five-season NFL career, he played in 60 games and made 17 starts.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 23. Ed Stinson
- Homestead, FL
- Defensive End (2009-2013)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: No. 352 Ranked Player in the Nation
- 2013 All-SEC Second Team
When Ed Stinson was in the eighth grade, the guy who would become his high school basketball coach, saw Ed working out, reported the Miami Herald.
"“Here was this kid, about 6-2, 200 pounds with a rope tied around his waist attached to a tire with two 20 pound-weights inside of it, running in the rain on an outdoor basketball court outside the Police Athletic League gym in Homestead, I walked up to him and said, ‘What college do you play for?’ He said, ‘Coach, I’m in the eighth grade.’ ”"
That guy, high school coach Jim Herron, became a major figure in Stinson’s life. When Stinson was a junior in high school, Herron convinced Ed to try-out for the football team. Stinson was an immediate success, first playing tight end and later defensive line.
Ed Stinson grew up in a tough area without much assistance from his parents. Both parents had serious drug problems, the mother unable to care for Ed, the father incarcerated due to drug-related offenses.
Stinson’s step-mother, Betty Grant became his replacement parent when Ed was eleven-years-old. Without Herron and Grant and other adults, not related to Ed, it is clear he would have never made it to Alabama or any other college.
Stinson redshirted in 2009 and was a backup in 2010 and 2011. He was a two-year starter in 2012 and 2013. Being a member of three national championship teams is a long way from dragging a weighted tire on an outdoor basketball court in Homestead, FL.
When Alabama went to South Florida to play for the 2012 National Championship, his father, past prison and a productive citizen was able to see his son play. Betty Grant was able to attend the game as well.
Stinson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. In a four-season, NFL career, Stinson played in 33 games, with five starts.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 22. Austin Shepherd
- Buford, GA
- Offensive Line (2010-2014)
- 2010 Recruit Ranking: No. 601 in the nation
It did not take Austin Shepherd long to choose Alabama for his college career. Alabama football was only the third school to offer Shepherd a scholarship. Austin made a quick decision to roll with the Tide.
Shepherd toiled quietly for three years in Tuscaloosa. He was a redshirt in 2010, and restricted to backup duty in 2011 and 2012, appearing in a total of 20 games.
In 2013 Shepherd took over for the departed D. J. Fluker at right tackle. Literally and statistically, Shepherd had big shoes to fill. Tide fans quickly learned Austin was another mauler for the Tide’s run game. To the surprise of fans, Shepherd also proved he was solid in pass blocking.
Shepherd was a leader on the offensive line in 2013 and 2014. No doubt, having to block A’Shawn Robinson, D. J. Pettway and Jonathan Allen in practice accelerated Austin’s development.
In 2012, while Austin was a rarely noticed reserve, he and his girlfriend, and now wife, Jenna set up the Austin Shepherd Foundation. The foundation was created to raise funds to benefit the patients of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
Shepherd was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 21. Quinton Dial
- Pinson, AL
- Defensive Line (2011-2012)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: No. 382 in the nation
At the risk of challenging a few political beliefs, consider that Quinton Dial is proof that sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. Dial’s mother died when Quinton was 10 years old. His father was on the periphery of Quinton’s life and unable to provide for his son.
Dial’s salvation was multiple families from a church on the edge of Birmingham. It was a little like the Michael Oher story, though none of Dial’s benefactors were affluent. But they were enough, more than enough.
After finishing high school at Clay-Chalkville, Quinton signed with Alabama. His grades were not near good enough to join the Alabama football 2009 recruiting class. Dial went to Scooba, MS to attend East Mississippi Community College, of Last Chance U fame.
Here is Quinton’s description of his time in Mississippi from the blog sfgate.com.
"“It was a humbling experience, they really focus on books and ball. That’s all there is in that town.” Scooba contains two stop lights and a Subway sandwich outlet about 10 miles away. Consequently, during his two years in Scooba, Dial did two things – study and play football."
In many ways, it could not have worked out better for Dial. While he was in Scooba, other schools continued to pursue him, but he was intent on getting to Tuscaloosa. Dial followed that same training, practice, study dedication in Tuscaloosa and it paid off.
"(Dial) followed the same routine he learned in JUCO, he went to class in the morning, then to meetings and practice in the afternoon, and study hall at night. During his two years at Alabama, Dial earned a 3.0 grade point average and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice."
Dial played two years at Alabama, on two national championship teams. He was steady, solid, rather than flashy. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Dial as the No. 157 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Dial has played five NFL seasons, appearing in 59 games and starting 32 of those games.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 20. John Parker Wilson
- Hoover, AL
- Quarterback (2005-2008)
- 2005 Recruit Ranking: No. 488 player in the nation
- No. 2 Alabama All-Time Career Passing Yards
- No. 2 Alabama All-Time Career Touchdowns
Wilson saw limited action as a true freshman in 2005, playing in five games. He became the starter for the Tide in 2006. In 13 games as starting Quarterback, he passed for 2,707 yards with 17 touchdowns.
In 2007, Wilson completed 255 of his 464 passes for a total of 2,846 yards and 18 touchdowns. Due to also throwing 12 interceptions in 2007, his quarterback rating was 114.6, the lowest of his college career. His best game of the 2007 season was against the Tennessee Vols, passing for 363 yards and three touchdowns.
In his senior season for the Tide in 2008, Wilson led the team to a 12-2 record. The highlight of the season was the 36-0 thrashing of Auburn. In 2008, Wilson passed for 2,273 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In Wilson’s Alabama career he passed for 7,924 yards and rushed for 175 yards. He threw 47 touchdown passes. Wilson is the Tide’s No. 2 for All-time Career Passing Yards and also No. 2 for Career TD Passes.
Wilson was undrafted in 2009 but signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Wilson spent most of five NFL seasons on practice squads with Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Pittsburgh. He did not see action in any regular-season NFL games.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 19. Christion Jones
- Adamsville, AL
- Wide Receiver and Kick Returner (2011-2014)
- 2011 Recruit Ranking: No. 367 Ranked Player in the Nation
Christion Jones was a four-year player for Alabama football and a starter in 2013 and 2014.
Christion was a wide receiver, primarily lining up in the slot. He was also a punt and kick returner and a regular member of kick coverage teams.
As a receiver, Jones caught 85 passes for 1035 yards in his Crimson Tide career. As a kick and punt returner, he returned four kicks for touchdowns. Jones is No. 3 in the Alabama football record book for kickoff return yards in a season. He returned kickoffs for 631 yards in the 2013 season. He is also No. 4 in Tide records for average punt return yards for a career at 10.9 yards.
The 2013 season opener against Virginia Tech was the most explosive game of Christion’s Alabama football career. He scored three touchdowns on a kickoff return, a punt return and a touchdown reception. Jones six kickoff and punt returns totaled 209 yards.
Take a look at his highlights below:
After college, Jones signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. Hampered by a leg injury, Jones failed to make the Dolphins 53-man roster. In 2016 Jones played in the Canadian Football League.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 18. Tyrone Prothro
- Heflin, AL
- Wide Receiver, Kick Returner (2003-2006)
- Recruit Ranking: No. 921 Ranked Player in the Nation
- 2005 Second-Team All-SEC
Every Alabama fan knows the Tyrone Prothro story. Perhaps no other Crimson Tide football player has received from fans such a combination of adulation and despair.
Two plays should never define a player’s career but that happened to Tyrone Prothro.
From the Southern Miss game, September 10, 2005, Brodie Croyle to Tyrone Prothro, viewable above.
The amazing catch was the play of the year in college football.
Three weeks later on October 1, 2005, Tyrone Prothro’s college career came to an end. On another long pass, Prothro suffered a gruesome compound fracture of his leg. The injury was so severe Prothro actually broke two bones in his leg.
Over a period of ten years, Tyrone Prothro would have eleven surgeries for his injured leg and ankle. At the Auburn home game late in the 2006 season, Prothro dressed out and was honored as he labored to run from the north end zone to deliver the game ball. He would never put on football pads again.
From 2003-2005 Tyrone Prothro played in 26 games for the Crimson Tide. He was electric on kick returns, averaging 26.7 yards a return. He rushed 25 times for the Tide for 166 yards. He caught 56 passes for 863 yards. He scored seven touchdowns in his short Alabama career.
Tyrone Prothro is still a young man who faced the crashing end of his dreams with grace.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 17. Josh Chapman
- Hoover, AL
- Nose Tackle – (2007-2011)
- 2007 Recruit Ranking: No. 541 Rated Player in the Nation
- 2012 Second Team All-SEC
Josh Chapman was no recruiting surprise. Rivals rated Josh as the No. 12 high school player in the state of Alabama. Besides Alabama, Chapman had offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Auburn.
Chapman redshirted in 2007 after appearing in a single game, against Vandy. In 2008 and 2009 Chapman played as a backup to Terrance Cody. Chapman played 17 games those seasons and made 15 tackles.
Chapman became a starter in 2010 and played in 22 games in 2010 and 2011. He finished his Alabama career with 88 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He was named Second-team All-SEC in 2012.
Chapman was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Chapman did not play in 2012 due to an injury. He played in 13 games for the Colts in 2013 with no starts. He made 15 tackles in 2013.
In 2014 Chapman became a starter for the Colts. He played in 16 games in 2014, starting in 15 games. In 2014 he made 21 tackles. He was waived by the Colts days before the start of the 2015 regular season.
In 2016 Josh was added to the strength and conditioning staff at Alabama.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 16. Anthony Steen
- Clarksdale, MS
- Offensive Line (2009-2013)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: No. 496 Rated Player in the Nation
- 2013 1st Team All-SEC
Anthony Steen redshirted in 2009. He made four starts in 2010, filling in for an injured Barrett Jones.
Steen earned a regular starting role in 2011 and through the 2013 season, he played in 51 games and made 36 starts.
In 2013 he was named by Crimson Tide Coaches as Offensive Player of the Week after the Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and Chattanooga games.
Steen played most of his Alabama career in the shadow of more well-known and more highly respected offensive line teammates. In 2012, the Tide’s championship line included Steen, Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker, Chance Warmack, and Cyrus Kouandjio. Steen did his job quietly and efficiently. He played the entire 2012 season and did not commit any penalties.
Steen was not drafted in 2014. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent.
Steen spent the 2014 season on the Cardinals’ practice squad. In 2015 he was on the practice squads of Arizona nd the Miami Dolphins.
Steen made the Dolphins 53 man roster for 2016. When starter Mike Pouncey was injured, Steen filled in as the starter at center for four games. Steen performed well for the Dolphins, far exceeding the pattern of a player who struggled for almost two years to make a regular NFL roster.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 15. Glen Coffee
- Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Running Back (2005-2008)
- 2005 Recruit Ranking: No. 419 Ranked Player in the Nation
- 2008 All-SEC First Team
- No. 6 Alabama Record Book for Single Season Rushing Yards
This lengthy rendition of achievements of Alabama football players tells some great stories. Glen Coffee’s story is also about achievement. There is more to Glen’s story, much more.
Coffee was the first power back of the Nick Saban, Alabama football era. He rushed for over 2100 yards at Alabama even though he had less than 170 carries leading up to his final season.
In 2008, starting, but splitting time with Roy Upchurch and Mark Ingram, Coffee rushed for 1385 yards. He left school a year early, one season short of winning a national championship.
Coffee was drafted by San Francisco in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Backing up Frank Gore, Coffee had limited action in his first NFL season.
Before his second season, Coffee abruptly retired from football, saying he had lost his love for the game. As reported by Task and Purpose, a publication that focuses on military veterans, Coffee explained his NFL exit.
"“I just felt like the league and that path wasn’t for me, I just knew that I didn’t want to waste, for me, my younger years doing something that I didn’t want to do. That was kind of my viewpoint on the situation.”"
Coffee joined the military in 2013, went to Ranger school and became a paratrooper.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 14. Greg McElroy
- Southlake, TX
- Quarterback (2006-2010)
- 2006 Recruit Ranking: No. 384 Rated Player in the Nation
Playing behind Chase Daniel in high school, McElroy got little recruiting notice until midway of his senior high school season. In that single season as a starter, Greg passed for over 4500 yards and 56 touchdowns. After initially committing to Texas Tech, McElroy changed his mind after being offered by Alabama.
Greg McElroy redshirted in 2006. He saw limited action in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, participating in eight games and completing 16 passes. He did get in on the rout of Auburn, throwing a touchdown pass to Marquis Maze to make the final score 36-0.
As the starter in 2009 McElroy led the Tide offense to the National Championship against Texas in the Rose Bowl. McElroy completed 60.8 percent of his passes in 2009, for 197 completions and 17 touchdowns. He was the MVP of the SEC Championship game against Florida.
Check out these McElroy highlights:
Despite the Tide’s disappointing 10-3 2010 season, McElroy had another stellar season. He completed over 70 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,987 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 2,987 passing yards made him the No. 4 Single Season Passer in Tide history.
McElroy finished his Crimson Tide career ranking in the top five all-time, in five different Tide passing records.
McElroy was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Greg played in two NFL games for the Jets in 2012, making one start.
He spent the 2013 NFL season as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Practice Squad. He officially retired from the NFL in 2014 to go into broadcasting with the SEC Network.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 13. Robert Lester
- Foley, AL
- Safety (2008-2012)
- 2009 Recruit Ranking: 3-Star
- No. 2 Alabama All-Time Season Interceptions (tied with Harry Gilmer)
Robert Lester and Julio Jones were childhood buddies growing up in Foley, AL. Coming out of high school, every major college who thought they had a chance, chased after Jones. Lester did not garner anywhere near the same attention.
During the 2008 recruiting cycle, rival college coaches started to pay more attention to Lester. Some of them suggested he would get more playing time at their school. A few even claimed Alabama was only recruiting Lester as an aid to the Tide’s recruitment of Julio.
Robert Lester signed with Alabama despite all the negative rumors. He sat out the 2008 season as a redshirt. As a sophomore in 2009, Lester played in eight games.
He became a starting safety for the Crimson Tide in 2010 and started every game for three seasons. In 2010 he led the SEC with eight interceptions.
By the end of his college career in 2012, Robert Lester played in 48 games for Alabama. He made 146 tackles and made 14 interceptions.
Lester was undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. Lester played in 13 games for the Panthers in 2013 and 2014. He had four career NFL starts.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 12. William Vlachos
- Mountain Brook, AL
- Center (2007-2011)
- 2007 Recruit Ranking: No. 270 Ranked Player in the Nation.
- 2011 All-SEC First Team
Nick Saban did not design his highly respected recruiting system after he moved to Tuscaloosa. In 2007, Saban already had a well researched and precise system using key player attributes to predict future player success at any position.
William Vlachos did not have those specific attributes. In particular, Valchos was too short to be a Saban center, or guard, or tackle. Mike Shula recruited Vlachos to Alabama, but Saban according to sources close to the Vlachos family, wanted William to accept a grayshirt offer. According to Will Hightower
"“To be honest, Saban didn’t want him,” Mountain Brook High School football coach Chris Yeager said. “He wanted to figure out a way to get rid of him. When Saban came to visit William at his house, I felt like he really tried to get him to decommit because of his size.”"
William did not decommit and he didn’t grayshirt either. He did redshirt in 2007. In 2009, as a redshirt sophomore, Vlachos was the Alabama football starter at center.
William Vlachos played in 48 games for Alabama football. He also made 40 consecutive starts. He was a key player for the 2009 and 2011 national championship teams.
In 2012, Vlachos signed an undrafted free agent agreement with the Tennessee Titans. He was released prior to the start of the 2012 season.
Nick Saban hired Vlachos as an Alabama football offensive analyst and he is pursuing a career in coaching.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 11. Kenneth Darby
- Huntsville, AL
- Running Back (2002-2006)
- 2002 Recruit Ranking: No.
- No. 5 Alabama All-Time Career Rushing
- No. 9 Alabama All-Time All-Purpose Yards
- 2005 First-Team All-SEC
- 2004 Second-Team All-SEC
At Butler High School in Huntsville, AL, Darby rushed for over 4500 yards. He was one of the top running backs in the state of Alabama but it wasn’t enough to gain him a 4-Star rating.
Kenneth Darby redshirted during the 2002 season. He saw limited action in 2003, playing in ten games and rushing for 185 yards.
In 2004 Darby became a mainstay in the Tide’s Offense. Darby rushed for 1021 yards and scored six touchdowns. His first career start was against Southern Miss when he rushed for 197 yards.
Also in 2004, Darby rushed for 200 yards against Mississippi State and was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.
As a junior in 2005, Darby rushed for 1241 yards, including five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. His 145 yards against South Carolina earned him SEC Player of the Week honors.
In his 2006 senior season, Darby rushed for 835 yards. Darby is No. 5 on the Alabama all-time career rushing list with 3,324 yards and No. 9 on the all-time career all-purpose yards with 3,669 yards.
Darby was drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played in only one game for the Bucs, with two carries for nine yards.
From 2008-2010 Darby played three seasons for the St. Louis Rams. He played 40 games for the Rams, getting one start. With the Rams, Darby rushed for 399 yards on 95 carries. He scored two touchdowns in his NFL career.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 10. Eddie Jackson
- Lauderdale Lakes, FL
- Defensive Back (2013-2016)
- 2013 Recruit Ranking: No. 350 in the Nation
- 2015 First-Team All-SEC
- 2016 Second-Team All-SEC
- 2015 All-American Second Team
- No. 1 Alabama Record Book – Interception Return Yards – Career, Single-Season and Single Game
Due to academic problems, Eddie Jackson did not play high school football until his senior season. In high school, he played both receiver and defensive back and despite his limited high school career, Jackson had many college options.
Here are Eddie’s comments about the transition from high school to Alabama football, published by The Player’s Tribune
"“At first, like a lot of freshmen, I was scared to death that I was out of my league. I didn’t just have to learn how to be a defensive back; I had to learn how to be a coachable human being.”"
Nick Saban recently spoke to the Chicago Tribune about his respect for Jackson.
"“I probably am as proud of where he started and where he finished as anyone that we’ve ever had on our team. The guy really became a leader of the team, selected as a captain even though he didn’t play in the last seven games because of injury (broken left leg). It speaks volumes for how his teammates view him from a character standpoint, a leadership standpoint, setting a good example, being somebody that somebody can emulate, caring enough about other people to help and serve them.”"
Eddie Jackson accomplished many things to earn Nick Saban’s respect. Here is what Eddie said in Player’s Tribune about how it all started.
"“I’ll never forget lining up against Amari Cooper one day in practice. He was just destroying me — making me look silly on every single play. I was embarrassed. At some point I looked over at Coach Saban, begging for some relief. Coach looked back at me and yelled, ‘Eddie, I’m not taking him off you, so you better get used to it!’ We ran another play. I got roasted again. And then, as we were walking back to the line, Coop said to me, ‘Every play you go up against me, you’re getting better.”"
Eddie Jackson could be a poster boy for The Nick Saban process. What is so remarkable is how many others to whom that same statement applies. As Nick often describes the Alabama football program, the team chooses its leaders and those leaders grow new leaders. Eddie was grown by others and then he learned to do the same.
Eddie came to Alabama having to learn to be a college corner. Then he had to learn to be a safety. He excelled at both. In the Chicago Tribune interview, Saban described Eddie as having “athletic intuition” and explained it as,
"“innate instincts to be able to track the ball, play the ball, anticipate where the ball is going, know where the reception area is. That’s one of the things Eddie always did well. People say the ball just comes to him. It doesn’t come to him. He gets in the right place so he gets the ball.”"
The Chicago Bears got a draft steal in Eddie Jackson.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 9. Antoine Caldwell
- Montgomery, AL
- Center (2004-2008)
- 2004 Recruit Ranking: No. 751 in the Nation
- 2005 Freshman All-SEC
- 2005 Freshman All-American
- 2006 All-SEC Second Team
- 2007 Rimington Watch List
- 2008 All-SEC First Team
- 2008 Consensus All-American
Antoine Caldwell redshirted in 2004 solely because he broke his foot in fall camp. He became a starter as a redshirt freshman in 2005, first at guard and later at center.
Caldwell was a steady and physical presence for Alabama football, toiling through three difficult seasons from 2005-2007.
The recognition that speaks volumes about Antoine Caldwell is that he was chosen a permanent captain by his teammates in 2007 and 2008. Only seven other players in Alabama football history have been honored by being named multi-season permanent captains.
Antoine was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played four seasons for the Texans, appearing in 39 games and making 19 starts.
In 2013 Antoine signed with the Buffalo Bills but did not make the team’s regular-season roster. In 2014, Caldwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but again he was not added to the team’s regular-season roster.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 8. Chance Warmack
- Atlanta, GA
- Offensive Guard (2009-2012)
- 2009 Player Ranking: No. 453 Rated Player in the Nation
- 2012 All-SEC First-Team
- 2012 Consensus All-American
Chance Warmack participated in spring practice as an early enrollee in 2009. As a freshman he was the backup to Barrett Jones, seeing action in five games. In Warmack’s 2010 sophomore season, Chance took over for All-American Mike Johnson at guard and started 13 games.
In 2011 and 2012, Warmack started all 27 games and was a big reason for the Tide’s powerful rushing attacks. Warmack was All-SEC Second team in 2011, All-SEC First Team in 2012 and a 2012 consensus All -American.
Chance Warmack is a member of a very select Alabama football club – made up of players with three National Championship rings.
The Tennesee Titans selected Warmack with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Warmack had a six-season NFL career, appearing in 68 games and starting 51 games.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 7. Wallace Gilberry
- Bay Minette, AL
- Defensive Line (2003-2007)
- 2003 Player Ranking: No. 342 Rated Player in the Nation
- 2007 All-SEC First Team
- No. 2 Alabama football Career Tackles for a Loss
If a writer searched for a main character to include in a story about the magic of Alabama football, Wallace Gilberry would be perfect. There are many words to describe Gilberry. Generous and resilient would be two. Two more are determined and lucky.
Coming out of Baldwin County High School in South Alabama, no division one school had any interest in Gilberry. In the transition between Mike Price and Mike Shula, all Alabama football scholarships were already awarded.
Then two very fortunate events occurred for Wallace Gilberry. He was offered a slot in the Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star Game. Gilberry played well in the game. Another fortunate event occurred for Wallace. An incoming Tide player chose professional baseball rather than Alabama football. Mike Shula used that scholarship to make Wallace Gilberry his first signee.
Gilberry redshirted in 2003. In his four-year playing career for Alabama football, Gilberry played in 50 games, with 38 starts.
Gilberry was not drafted in 2008, but he signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants. He failed to make the team. Later in the 2008 season, he made his NFL debut with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Through a ten-season NFL career, Gilberry played in 124 games, including 23 starts.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 6. Terrence Cody
- Fort Myers, FL
- Nose Tackle, (2008-2009)
- 2006 Player Ranking: Not Rated
- 2008 Player Ranking: 3-Star
- 2008 All-American
- 2009 Unanimous First-Team All-American
To whom should Alabama football fans attribute the turning point in building the Alabama football – Saban Dynasty? The question is unanswerable if the purpose is to name one player. Fans could choose Mark Ingram, Rolando McClain, Julio Jones and others.
Another option would be a mountain of a young man, “Mount Cody.” Terrence Cody had to go the junior college route to big-time college football. When he arrived at Alabama, he tipped the scales at over 400 pounds. He looked more like a circus sideshow actor than a football player.
Even after he shed over 50 pounds, Cody was never a three-down player for Alabama football. Cody continually lobbied Nick Saban for more game action. Saban told Terrance that first, he would have to beat Nick in a foot-race on the practice field. The two offer differing versions of the races, but it is not likely the player ever out-ran the coach.
Terrence Cody had two well-honed skill sets. He was the ultimate run-stuffer and also an unstoppable lead blocker in goal-line sets.
But those skills were not the ones used when Terrence Cody made his name in Alabama football history. In October 2009, against Tennessee in Tuscaloosa, Terrance Cody blocked two Vols field-goal attempts. Both kicks were less than 45 yards, one of them was kicked a low angle, and Cody, after penetration past the line of scrimmage, blocked it with his armpit.
Those two blocks were the key plays in the 2009 Alabama football National Championship season. Without the Cody blocks, the Tide would not have played for a national championship.
Terrance Cody was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Cody played in 57 games for the Ravens over five seasons. Continued struggles with his weight, injuries, and an off-the-field issue hampered his NFL career.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 5. Javier Arenas
- Tampa, FL
- Defensive Back – Kick Returner (2006-2009)
- 2006 Recruit Ranking: No. 523 in the Nation
- 2009 All-SEC First Team
- 2009 Consensus All-American First Team
- No. 1 in SEC for Career Punt Returns for Touchdowns
- No. 1 Alabama Football: Career Kickoff Return Yards; Career Punt Return Yards; Career Average Punt Return Yards
Making his college choice was not difficult for Javier Arenas. He had two offers when he decided to join Mike Shula’s 2006 recruiting class. Despite being a high school track star, Javier’s 5-foot-9 height did not match the standard profile for a defensive back.
Arenas is another example that the value of player measurables is limited by having no measurement for toughness and character.
Javier Arenas became an outstanding defensive back at Alabama, playing mostly Star in Nick Saban’s defense. He also became the greatest punt and kick returner in Alabama football history.
Words cannot describe the electricity generated in a stadium when Javier Arenas fielded a kick. Take a look at this video to get a sense of the feel inside Bryant-Denny when Javi touched the ball.
And this combination of defensive and returning highlights.
Javier Arenas was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the No. 50 overall pick in the Second Round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Arenas played five NFL seasons, three with Kansas City and one each with Arizona and Atlanta. He played in 69 NFL games.
In 2015 and 2016, Javier signed contracts with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills but did not make either team’s active roster. In 2017 he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League.
He is now on the Alabama football staff.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 4. Kareem Jackson
- Macon GA
- Defensive Back (2007-2009)
- 2006 Recruit Ranking: Not Rated
- 2007 Recruit Ranking: No. 18 in the Nation*
- 2007 Freshman All-American
* the discrepancy in recruit rankings between 2006 and 2007 is explained below.
At Macon, GA Westlake High School, Kareem Jackson was primarily a running back. He put up good high school numbers but not enough to earn a high recruiting profile. The Scout recruiting network projected Jackson “as a running back or wide receiver at the next level.”
After high school, Kareem spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy where he was converted to a cornerback. The position change elevated Kareem to a 3-Star recruit as measured by the 247sports composite rankings.
He was an early enrollee for Nick Saban in 2007 and started 12 games his true freshman season. Jackson made the Freshman All-American team in 2007.
Jackson continued to learn the cornerback position during his sophomore and junior seasons for Alabama football. In the 2009 national championship season, Kareem was one of the main players on one of the Tide’s all-time best defenses.
Foregoing his senior season, Jackson was selected by the Houston Texans as the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 3. Josh Jacobs
- Running Back (2016-2018)
- 2016 Recruit Ranking: No. 469
Josh Jacobs might be considered an anomaly in this list. His Crimson Tide career stats set no records. He did not gain prestige with national awards. Concluding his limited production disqualifies him as an Alabama Football great would be a mistake.
Josh Jacobs was never the lead running back for the Crimson Tide. His career stats were 1,491 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 571 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In his third and last Tide season, Jacobs became the most complete back on Nick Saban’s roster.
He makes this list and is rated so highly for three reasons. He was missed on most national recruiting radars and ignored by most teams before the Alabama football staff discovered him. Given the personal hardships, he, his father and his siblings survived, it is remarkable Josh Jacobs made it to college. That he did, and ended up being the top running back chosen in the 2019 NFL Draft is one of the greatest stories in Alabama football history.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 2. DeMeco Ryans
- Bessemer, AL
- Linebacker (2002-2005)
- 2002 Recruit Ranking: No. 771 in the nation
- 2005 Consensus All-American
- Three-time All-SEC Academic team
- 2005 Lott Trophy Winner
- 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2004 Winner Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award
- No. 5 Alabama Career Tackles (309)
- No. 2 Alabama Single-Season Tackles (126)
- No.1 Alabama Single Game Tackles (25)
(note Lee Roy Jordan made 31 tackles in the 1963 Orange Bowl but in that era player stats in bowls were not officially recognized)
The list of elite Alabama linebackers is mind-boggling. From Lee Roy Jordan to Reuben Foster, Alabama football has produced more than a dozen of college football’s greatest linebackers. Choosing the one best is practically impossible. DeMeco Ryans will be on anyone’s Greatest Crimson Tide linebacker list.
Wonder how the 2017 Alabama football linebacker group fits into Tide history? Check this out, Are the 2017 Tide linebackers the best group ever?
In a ten-season NFL career, DeMeco started every game but one. Ryans was drafted by the Houston Texans as the overall No. 33 pick and the first pick in the second round.
In 140 NFL games with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles, Ryans made 970 tackles, with 13.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and seven interceptions. He was a two-time Pro Bowl team member. DeMeco’s NFL career was ended by an injury.
Alabama football players who exceeded 3 star ranking: 1. Mac Jones
- Quarterback (2017-2020)
- 2017 Recruit Ranking: No. 399 in the nation2020 Consensus All-American
- 2020 Winner: Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas and Manning Awards
- 2020: Heisman Trophy Finalist
- 2020: No. 1 NCAA Single-Season Completion Percentage (77.4)
- 2020: No. 1 Alabama Single-Season Passing Yards (4,500 yards)
- No.1 Alabama Career, Most 400-yard passing games
In retrospect, Mac Jones was undervalued, not just by recruiting experts but by Alabama Crimson Tide fans as well. What he accomplished in his last Tide season is astounding. His 2020 QB stats, finishing with an NCAA-leading 201.1 passer rating and 96.1 QBR were extraordinary.
Like his more highly rated (4-Star) but still undervalued teammate, DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones proved the value of believing in yourself, hard work and determination.
Mac Jones should prosper as an NFL starting quarterback.
Thirty of the Crimson Tide’s Greatest Players
Thirty of Alabama football’s greatest players. Thirty players who refused to accept being average. Thirty players who chose to be defined by hard work and dedication. Thirty players who refused to succumb to the lesser expectations of their detractors.