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Alabama Football: Saban Era ‘All-Iron Bowl’ Team

By Mike Parham

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to lead his team onto the field to face the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to lead his team onto the field to face the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The All-Iron Bowl team is compiled of the best Alabama football players at their position during the Nick Saban Era.  

 The Iron Bowl is arguably the best rivalry in all of sports. There have been some memorable moments by current and former Alabama football players that will be engrained in our minds forever.

Regardless of production during their respective seasons, this team is based solely on player performances in the Iron Bowl.

Head Coach Nick Saban has always been a fan of the Iron Bowl, even before coming to Tuscaloosa, and admits that it means more when you’re involved.

"“I’ve always had a lot of appreciation for this rivalry even before being here, but I don’t think you understand the significance of a rivalry until you’re involved in it.”"

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To stand out as an Alabama football player is a great accomplishment.  To stand out in the Iron Bowl will get you Crimson Tide immortality.  So, here are players for Alabama’s All-Iron Bowl offensive, defensive, and special teams since 2007:

All-Iron Bowl Offense:

QB – AJ McCarron (2012) – 15-for-21   216-yards   4 TDs

RB – Trent Richardson (2011) – 27 carries   203-yards   1-yard receiving TD

RB – Derrick Henry (2015) – 46 carries   271-yards   1 TD

WR – Amari Cooper (2014) – 13 receptions   224-yards   3 TDs

WR – Julio Jones (2010) – 10 receptions   199-yards   1 TD

TE – Brad Smelley (2011) – 6 receptions   86-yards    1 TD

LT – Cyrus Kouandijo (2012); LG – Chance Warmack (2013)

C – Ryan Kelly (2015)

RG – Barrett Jones (2009); RT – Andre Smith (2008)

The Alabama football defenses under Nick Saban have been so dominant, picking the Iron Bowl group of players was a challenge.

All-Iron Bowl Defense:

DT – Terrence Cody (2008) – 3 tackles   1 TFL   0.5 sack

DT – Jonathan Allen (2016) – 6 tackles   2 TFL

DE – Ryan Anderson (2016) – 6 tackles   2 TFL  1 sack

DE – Courtney Upshaw (2010) – 10 tackles   3 sacks    2 forced fumbles

LB – Rolando McClain (2009) – 12 tackles   1 sack

LB – C.J. Mosley (2013) – 14 tackles

LB – Dont’a Hightower (2011) – 9 tackles

CB – Geno Smith (2015) – 8 tackles    1 forced fumble

CB – Dee Milliner (2011) – 1 interception returned for a TD

FS –Nick Perry (2014) – 13 tackles   2 TFL   1 interception

SS – Landon Collins (2013) – 9 tackles   1 forced fumble   1 fumble recovery

All-Iron Bowl Special Teams:

K – Jeremy Shelley (2011)

P – JK Scott (2016)

KR – Javier Arenas (2009)

*Honorable Mentions*

RB – Glenn Coffee (2008)                                     K – Adam Griffith (2016)

RB – Mark Ingram (2010)                                     RB – Eddie Lacy (2012)

RB – T.J. Yeldon (2013)                                          QB – Greg McElroy (2010)

LB – Trey Depriest (2014)                                     SS – Nick Perry (2014)

WR – Ardarius Stewart (2016)

Next: Alabama Football: An Open Letter To Saban Haters – Get Stuffed!

The Iron Bowl kicks off Saturday, November 25 at 3:30pm ET.  We’ll see if the current players can put forth a performance to get themselves on Alabama’s next All-Iron Bowl team.

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