Alabama Football: Crimson Tide Top 10 All-Time Rushers
By Ronald Evans
No. 3 Shaun Alexander (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
- Career Rushing – 3,565 yards on 727 carries
- Career Yards-Per-Carry average of 4.9 yards
- 1999 All-American and 199 SEC Player of the Year
Shaun Alexander was a great Alabama Crimson Tide running back in a four-season period when Alabama did not have great teams. As a freshman, he played one season for Gene Stallings. In his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, playing for Mike Dubose, the Crimson Tide lost 15 football games.
Alexander exploded as a freshman on a November night in Baton Rouge. Dennis Riddle was the primary ball carrier for Gene Stallings that season and he rushed for almost 100 yards against the LSU defense. But it was Alexander who stole the show. Shaun set an Alabama Crimson Tide record of 291 yards in a single game. Running power sweep, after power sweep, Alexander was nearly unstoppable. Shaun Alexander had a complete running back package of speed, power and elusiveness.
Alexander had a lengthy NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, scoring 100 touchdowns and producing almost 11,000 total yards. He was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2005.