Alabama Football: Best Players of Gene Stallings Era

Defensive Backs

This position group had so many outstanding players in the seven seasons, it is hard to only select four. Sam Shade, Tommy Johnson, and Willie Gaston, all All-SEC performers, could have easily been added.

• George Teague (1989-1992) – Famous for his strip and take away from a sprinting Miami receiver in the National Championship game, on a play nullified by a penalty, Teague intercepted a pass in the game and returned it for a touchdown. Teague is in the Tide’s top 10 for career interceptions with 14. He was a second-team All-America in 1992.
• Antonio Langham (1990-1993) – Langham is the Crimson Tide career leader in interceptions with 19. He was a 1992 and 1993 All-America. His pick-six late in the 1992 SEC Championship game allowed the Tide to gain the shot against Miami in the Sugar Bowl. Langham has to be considered one of Alabama’s best-ever cornerbacks. Langham won the Jim Thorpe Award in 1993.

• Kevin Jackson (1995-1996) – Jackson had 12 interceptions in his Alabama career, including seven in the 1996 season when he was also selected as a first-team All-America.
• DeShea Townsend (1994-1997) – As a high school quarterback, Townsend came to Tuscaloosa knowing how to read pass routes. He had strong seasons in 1995, 1996 and 1997, making an All-SEC team each year.