Over the course of its storied history, Alabama has had a few phenomenal players sport number two, so in the spirit of the unofficial celebration of 2/22/22 or better known as “Twosday”, let’s take a look at some of the best players to ever wear the number as members of the Crimson Tide.
David Palmer
Better known as “The Deuce”, David Palmer was ahead of his time at Alabama in terms of his dynamic athleticism and big playability. To label Palmer with playing one position would be a disservice as he lined up all across the field on the Crimson Tide’s offense. From catching passes in the slot to handoffs and to taking snaps under center, Palmer did it all for Gene Stallings’ teams and was recognized for his efforts during his junior season. In that 1993 year, after Palmer helped Alabama win the national championship the season prior, he burst onto the national scene by catching 61 passes for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for 278 yards on 42 attempts. This sort of all-purpose production led to Palmer being recognized as a consensus All-American and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy where he finished third in the voting.
Patrick Surtain II
Not often do freshman defensive backs impress Nick Saban enough to play immediately, but Patrick Surtian became one of those exceptions when he arrived in 2018. Despite intercepting just four passes across his career at Alabama, Surtain was an integral piece to the Crimson Tide’s secondary blanketing opposing receivers. Once the 2020 season rolled around, Surtain was heralded as the best corner in all of college football and played as such. In his final season at Alabama, the Flordia native was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a Unanimous All-American. His efforts also helped the Crimson Tide cruise to a perfect undefeated season resulting in a national championship win over Ohio State. Surtain would go on to continue the legacy of great Alabama defensive backs as he was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jalen Hurts
One of the most beloved players in the Nick Saban era, Jalen Hurts was the epitome of class and resistance while he was with Alabama. He was the first freshman to start at quarterback during Saban’s run with the Crimson Tide and took full advantage of his opportunity leading Alabama to the national championship game. His sophomore year as the signal-caller, Hurts was able to get the Crimson Tide back in the same position of competing in the national championship game against Georgia but was famously benched for freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who the game and the starting job going forward. But it was what happened after that made Hurts and Alabama legend. Instead of transferring, he remained on the team for his junior season as the backup quarterback and would save Alabama’s season in the SEC Championship game defeating Georgia in the same building he was benched a year prior. His career played out like a Hollywood script and even then that may not give it justice.
Derrick Henry
Alabama’s second Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry is unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever walk through the facilities let alone wear number two. In three seasons in Tuscaloosa Henry rushed for a total of 3,591 yards, 42 touchdowns and averaged a whopping 6.0 yards per attempt. But it was his final season with the Crimson Tide which sets him apart from the rest as his Heisman season entailed 395 carries for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns. Along with his Heisman Trophy, Henry took home the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award and was named a unanimous All-American during his 2015 season. His career was capped off with a national championship win over Clemson where he rushed for 158 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s thrilling 45-40 victory.
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