For the past thirty years, Alabama football has produced mighty linebackers that have shredded opposing offenses either by sacking the quarterback or applying violent takedowns of bruising runners.
Linebacker University is a moniker rightfully bestowed for Alabama football. On this revered list of great Alabama football players are consensus All Americans, SEC Defensive Players of the Year and Butkus Award winners.
Linebackers are the heart and soul of the defense. Their ability to swiftly diagnose the offense, drop into pass coverage to cover a receiver or tight end or put their hand into the dirt to relentlessly terrorize the quarterback are priceless.
An Alabama football linebacker must possess Samson like strength to barrel over 300-pound offensive linemen, nimbleness to dart past blocking running backs and the smarts to mentally challenge the quarterback by changing the defense.
Although a majority of the players on this list come from the Nick Saban era, the best did not play for him.
Current Crimson Tide backers Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses could inhabit this list once their careers have ended at the Capstone.
Dwayne Rudd, Saleem Rasheed, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson narrowly missed the cut.
10
Courtney Upshaw Outside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2008-2011
Courtney Upshaw was an integral part of the vicious 2011 defense that led the nation in rushing defense, passing defense and scoring defense. His senior season, Upshaw was devastating on the edge as a pass rusher. He finished with 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
During the 2012 BCS Championship game against LSU, Upshaw grabbed the defensive MVP with seven tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss.
After his standout performance in the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Michigan State, when he won the game’s MVP after tallying two sacks, five tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Named as a first team All American by the Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America in 2011. Also, recognized as a Second Team All American team by the Associated Press.
He left Tuscaloosa with 141 tackles, 17.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss.
9
Rashaan Evans Inside and Outside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2014-2017
This versatile linebacker made a tremendous impact in the national title game against Clemson when he spied Deshaun Watson. Saban inserting Rashaan Evans changed the game. He finished with three tackles and two sacks. Auburn fans regret that this Alabama star spurned them for the Crimson Tide.
During his senior season, he tallied 74 tackles along with six sacks. Before the season started, Evans tweeted he would win the Butkus Award. After suffering an injury in the first game, his play did not pick up until later in the season.
Biding his time, Rashaan’s only two starts his junior year were in the College Football Playoff replacing injured Shaun Dion Hamilton. Evans did not disappoint. In the championship game loss to Clemson, Evans registered 11 tackles along with a half sack.
Possessing good speed and length, Evans patiently waited for his time to shine. A real leader and captain for the 2017 championship team.
8
DeMeco Ryans Inside linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2002-2005
Ryans earned the 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year after registering 76 tackles and five quarterback sacks. Added to his list of accomplishments were being named First Team All American and the winner of the Lott Trophy. The six-foot-two linebacker is the only Tide player to win the Lott Trophy and shares the award with notables JJ Watt, Manti Teo, Jabrill Peppers and David Pollack.
The Bessemer native improved every year in Tuscaloosa. During his sophomore season, he was a tackling machine with 126.
Ryans left Alabama fifth on the all-time tackles list with 307. He had 37 career starts.
7
Reggie Ragland Inside linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2012-2015
Team captain and leader Reggie Ragland led the Crimson Tide with 97 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and broke up six passes his senior season. He won SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All American. Alabama football had not harbored a unanimous All American linebacker since Cornelius Bennett and Derrick Thomas.
Considered a throwback linebacker, Ragland stood six-foot-two and 247 pounds. Reggie fell in line with versatile linebackers under Saban that could line up and rush the passer or plug the middle.
6
Donta Hightower Inside and Outside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2008-2011
The Lewisburg, Tennessee native instantly became a starter at weakside linebacker on Nick Saban’s 2008 team alongside true freshman Rolando McClain. Finishing the season with 64 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, Hightower received recognition being named to numerous All-Freshmen teams. The following season, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Arkansas granting him a redshirt season. In 2010, Dont’a returned and started at middle linebacker whipping up 69 tackles. The anchor for the esteemed 2011 defense, he made a career-high 85 tackles.
Hightower’s versatility was simply unmatched. He could put his hand in the dirt to get after the quarterback on third down plus his 265-pound frame allowed him to destroy running backs. Left Alabama as a first-team consensus All American and a finalist for the Butkus Award, Lombardi and Lott trophies.
5
Reuben Foster Inside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2014-2016
Butkus Award winner Reuben Foster was the de facto leader of the notorious 2016 Alabama football defense. Foster slimmed down his senior season to be more effective. The linebacker registered 115 tackles along with five sacks. He was all over the field. In his last game, he had 12 tackles and one sack.
Coming to Alabama as the top high school linebacker in the country, he originally verbally committed to Auburn. He didn’t see the field until his sophomore year. A big hitter, he ate Leonard Fournette’s lunch at LSU by putting him on his behind with a thunderous hit on special teams. In his junior season, the potential began to show.
Foster displayed great command in the huddle, showed tremendous range with seven pass deflections and excellent hitting ability. The junior registered 73 tackles along with eight tackles for loss.
4
Keith McCants Outside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 1987-1989
The CBS National Defensive Player of the Year in 1989, Keith McCants was an absolute brute for the Crimson Tide. The Mobile, Alabama native led Alabama with 119 tackles and four sacks. Unfortunately, he was the runner-up to Michigan State linebacker Percy Snow for the Butkus Award. Against Auburn, McCants played liked the Tasmanian devil all over the field, racking up 18 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. His play against the Tigers led Alabama to its first SEC title since 1981. Keith amassed 35 tackles in two seasons playing against the Tide’s hated rival.
In 1988, playing alongside Tide great Derrick Thomas, the sophomore finished second on the team in tackles with 78. In the 1988 Sun Bowl against Army, the surly linebacker finished with a game-high 13 tackles.
A superior talent, McCants decided to leave for the NFL after his junior season.
3
C.J. Mosley Inside and Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2010-2013
The 2013 Butkus Award winner, C.J. Mosley was undoubtedly the nation’s top linebacker. He would remain on the field for all three downs. C.J. could make plays sideline to sideline. Mosley was Alabama’s most complete linebacker in the Saban era. C.J. played in all 13 games as a true freshman. Mosley finished the season with 67 tackles and two interceptions returned for touchdowns with an astonishing ten passes deflections.
Suffered an elbow injury in 2011 causing him to miss two games. He mostly played in passing situations replacing Nico Johnson for his pass coverage ability.
The centerpiece of the 2012 defense, he led the team with 107 tackles. Add in four sacks and two interceptions, one which he returned for a touchdown.
In 2013, he led the team in tackles again with 106 tackles leading to his coveted award. Mosley also was named co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
C.J. left Tuscaloosa as a two-time consensus All American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time first-team All-SEC and the Butkus. Let’s not forget that he also departed with two national championships.
2
Rolando McClain Inside linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 2007-2009
Rolando McClain started eight games as a true freshman and logged 74 tackles. His first time at Jordan Hare, he registered 15 tackles and had an interception in Alabama’s loss, but it was evident he was going to become a star.
Saban needed an alpha dog on the Alabama football defense to set the tone and McClain didn’t disappoint. His second season ended with 95 tackles, three sacks and named first-team All-SEC and third team AP All American.
During his junior season, Rolando was the top linebacker in college football. Besides being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he also received the Dick Butkus award. McClain led the Crimson Tide to its first national championship since 1992 with 105 tackles, four sacks, and two interceptions.
Known for his on the field intelligence, McClain led the Alabama football resurgence with a dominating personality and penchant for violent hits. An absolute legend in Tuscaloosa.
1
Derrick Thomas Outside Linebacker
Alabama Crimson Tide 1985-1988
Derrick Thomas shattered the team record for sacks his junior season with 18. The following season, he obliterated his record with 27 sacks. Today, the incredible record still stands nationally.
In 2002, linebacker Terrell Suggs came close with 24 quarterback sacks at Arizona State. The nearest Crimson Tide defender is Lombardi award winner Jonathan Allen with 12 sacks in 2015. Suggs finished with 44 career sacks, which is eight behind Thomas. Allen finished with a distance 28.5. Thomas even recorded four sacks in a game—-twice.
The purest pass rusher to ever play the game, collegiate or professional. DT could change a game as soon as an offensive tackle whiffed in blocking him.
There have been so many illustrious Alabama football linebackers. Going back to the Bryant era, at least another 15 deserve to be on a greatest list.