Alabama Football: Best Players of Gene Stallings Era

Gene Stallings believed in running the football and stopping the opponent from having an effective running game. The philosophy meant Crimson Tide running backs were more active than any top Crimson Tide receiver. Compared to the current era of college football, the controlled pace of the 1990s, Stallings’ conservative offensive approach was not heavily dependent on passing.

Running Backs

• Siran Stacy (1989-1991) – Stacy exploded on the Alabama football scene in 1989, with 317, all-purpose yards in a win over Tennessee in Knoxville. In his three Alabama seasons, he rushed for 2,106 yards and had 574 yards in pass receptions. Stacy was All-SEC in 1991.
• Sherman Williams (1991-1994) – In his four seasons Williams rushed for 2,486 yards and made pass receptions for 424 yards. Williams was a second-team All-America and All-SEC in 1994.
• Derrick Lassic (1989-1992) – In four seasons Lassic rushed for 1,696 yards and had 333 yards in pass receptions. Most noteworthy was his MVP performance against Miami in the National Championship game. Lassic was All-SEC in 1992.
• Dennis Riddle (1994-1997) – Riddle was the Crimson Tide’s lead back in the 1995 and 1996 seasons. In his Alabama career, he rushed for 2,645 yards and added 554 yards in receptions.
• Shaun Alexander (1996-1999) – Alexander played only one season for Stallings in his outstanding four-season Alabama Crimson Tide career. In that season he rushed 77 times and gained 589 yards. More was needed to add him to this list and Alexander provided it in November 1996 in Baton Rouge. LA. The Bengal Tigers had a better-than-good defense in 1996, but the Tide’s freshman tailback shredded them for 291 yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries. The rushing yards are an Alabama Football, single-game record.