Alabama Football: What if the Tide retired football jersey numbers?

Derrick Henry (2) and Mark Ingram (22)

Another option Alabama football could consider is retiring jersey numbers of Heisman winners. If they were to do this, they would only need to retire two numbers from Alabama’s entire history.

Mark Ingram was Alabama’s first ever Heisman Trophy winner back in 2009. He led that Crimson Tide team to Saban’s first championship. Ingram was a tough player, and he’s been a great ambassador for the university. After his success with the Crimson Tide, he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. He has gone on to have a great career in the NFL, playing for both the Saints and the Ravens.

Ingram blazed the trail for future running backs at Alabama under the Saban era. He made the path easier for Trent Richardson, Josh Jacobs, Eddie Lacy, Najee Harris, and so many others.

One running back who followed Ingram was Derrick Henry, the Tide’s other Heisman Trophy winner. He had one of the most dominant seasons in all of college football history, using his size and speed to be a menace for every defense. He simply couldn’t be taken down by just one defender.

Henry’s jersey number is tricky. You have had plenty of other players wear that jersey number and have success, including Jalen Hurts. He also wore the 27 jersey, but he will always be remembered for his time wearing No. 2.