22 football stars who crushed it at the University of Alabama
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1. Joe Namath (1962-1964)
Joe Namath might be best known as the star-studded quarterback of the Jets in the 60s and 70s, but he got his start at Alabama. Over his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Namath went 29-4 and won the 1964 national championship. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
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2. Julio Jones (2008-2010)
Julio Jones checks in as one of the top physical specimens to ever play at Alabama. Jones dominated the SEC and helped the Crimson Tide to an undefeated 14-0 season, culminating in the 2010 BCS National Championship. Jones was selected sixth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Falcons.
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3. Derrick Thomas (1985-1988)
Derrick Thomas' 1988 season was one of the most dominant seasons a defender has played at Alabama. Thomas notched a record-breaking 27 sacks that netted him the Butkus Award. Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
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4. Ozzie Newsome (1974-1977)
The general manager of the Baltimore Ravens was an extremely talented tight end at Alabama. Ozzie Newsome was a four-year starter in Tuscaloosa, and in 1994 he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Newsome's college coach, Bear Bryant, said he was the best tight end in the school's history.
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5. A.J. McCarron (2009-2013)
The former Alabama star was part of three national championship teams in his tenure with the prestigious football power. As the Crimson Tide's quarterback, McCarron finished his career 36-4 while becoming the first signal-caller to win back-to-back national championships in the BCS era. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Bengals.
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6. Shaun Alexander (1996-1999)
Shaun Alexander's dominance with the Seahawks in the NFL overshadow how great he was as a collegiate running back. Alexander is the school's all-time leading rusher with 3,565 rushing yards.
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7. Marcell Dareus (2008-2010)
Marcell Dareus didn't put up flashy numbers as a member of the Alabama football team, but he was a key cog in the Crimson Tide's defense. Dareus was named the defensive MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship after returning an interception for a touchdown. Dareus was drafted third overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Bills.
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8. Chris Samuels (1996-1999)
During his time with Alabama, Chris Samuels was one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. In 1999, he won the Outland Trophy after not giving up a sack all season.
Samuels made the Pro Bowl six times while with the Redskins. Since retiring in '09, he's joined Alabama's coaching staff.
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9. Don Hutson (1931-1934)
The former first-team All-American gave a new look to wide receivers. He's considered the first modern-day wideout, and was acknowledged as creator of some passing routes still used today. Don Hutson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of fame in 1963.
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10. Trent Richardson (2009-2011)
Trent Richardson's NFL career hasn't panned out as most expected, but his time in Tuscaloosa was impressive. Richardson rumbled for 35 touchdowns in his career, and won two national championships. Richardson's now on his third team in just four seasons in the NFL.
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11. Amari Cooper (2012-2014)
Amari Cooper's three seasons at Alabama place him as one of the best receivers in school history. Cooper was named the 2014 Biletnikoff Award winner for the top wideout in the nation. In his final season in Tuscaloosa, Cooper caught 124 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.
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12. Mark Ingram (2007-2009)
Another first-round running back, Mark Ingram was the first Heisman Trophy winner in Alabama's history. Hard to believe for such a storied program.
Ingram went on to be drafted by the Saints in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
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13. Dwight Stephenson (1977-1979)
Paul "Bear" Bryant once proclaimed that Dwight Stephenson was the greatest football player he ever coached, no matter the position. Stephenson was selected in the second round of the 1980 draft by the Dolphins. He was elected to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team.
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14. Woodrow Lowe (1972-1975)
One of just two Bama players to be named a three-time All-American, Woodrow Lowe won the SEC championship all four years he attended school. The linebacker totaled 315 tackles in his illustrious college career.
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15. Cornelius Bennett (1983-1986)
The 1986 SEC player of the year is most famous for his legendary sack of Notre Dame's Steve Beuerlein. He's the second Crimson Tide player to be named a three-time All-American. In 2005, Cornelius Bennett was immortalized after being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
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16. Harry Gilmer (1944-1947)
Harry Gilmer was a two-way star in his time at Alabama in the 1940s. Gilmer played quarterback and defensive back, accounting for 52 touchdowns and 16 intercepted passes during his playing days.
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17. Ken Stabler (1965-1967)
Ken Stabler had big shoes to fill at Alabama after backing up two national championship-winning quarterbacks. In his first season as starter, Stabler led Alabama to an 11-0 record. "The Snake" went on to win a Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders in 1977.
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18. John Hannah (1970-1972)
John Hannah is widely regarded as the greatest offensive lineman to play at the University of Alabama. The two-time All-American was part of Bama's All-Century Team.
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19. Rolando McClain (2007-2009)
Fans of Alabama felt the presence of Rolando McClain once he set foot on campus. The talented linebacker started eight games his freshman season, and by his junior year he was the Dick Butkus Award recipient. McClain was drafted eighth overall by the Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft.
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20. Johnny Musso (1969-1971)
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame since 2000, Johnny Musso was a dominant running back for the Crimson Tide. He was named an All-American in 1970 and 1971.
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21. Bobby Humphrey (1985-1988)
Injuries derailed what could have been an even better collegiate career for Bobby Humphrey. Before injuring his foot, Humphrey totaled 40 touchdowns for Alabama in his career.
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22. Lee Roy Jordan (1960-1962)
Lee Roy Jordan is a champion at the collegiate and professional level. Jordan played linebacker and offensive line for the national champs. In the pros, Jordan was a five-time Pro Bowl selection for the Dallas Cowboys.
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