Tua Tagovailoa (13)
This is obviously a recency bias. Tua is the most talented quarterback to ever come through Alabama football. He only won one championship, but he broke just about every passing record in Tide history despite only being a starter for two seasons. He’s almost like a mascot for the Crimson Tide, and it won’t feel right to see someone else in that jersey.
Joe Namath (12)
Plenty of legends have worn this number for Alabama football, but none are at the same level as Broadway Joe. When you start a conversation of historic Crimson Tide players, he is always on the list. They won’t retire this number because it’s so common for quarterbacks to wear, but he is the best No. 12 to ever do it.
Derrick Thomas (55)
Derrick Thomas might be the best Alabama football player in history, but there is no doubt that he’s the best defensive player in Tide history. He has to be a part of the conversation. Also, no one really wears his number anyways. He’s a Crimson Tide legend, and he would deserve this recognition.
AJ McCarron (10)
There are a lot of opinions on McCarron, but he was a Heisman finalist, a 2-time champion as a starter, and won a ring in three of his four years of college football. Before Tua, he was the best Alabama quarterback that Nick Saban ever had.
John Hannah (73)
John Hannah is on that list of all-time Crimson Tide players for what he did on the offensive line. There are too few numbers for linemen to choose from, but he is thought of to be the best offensive linemen in Alabama football history. You have to show some love in the trenches.
There are surely players we missed, but this is already 9 jersey numbers that could be retired. If anything, this proves that jersey numbers should not be retired for the Crimson Tide.