Mark Ingram reveals the best Alabama player he ever played with

(Tuscaloosa News / Robert Sutton)

There was no shortage of talent rostered during the early Nick Saban era at Alabama. Not only did he produce the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner in Mark Ingram, but also produced the likes of Julio Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron, Trent Richardson, Dont’a Hightower and Marcell Dareus.

But even to Ingram, there was a clear cream of the crop when it came to that group and it was someone without and illustrious pro career.

During an appearance on the Glory Daze podcast with Johnny Manziel, Ingram revealed that the best player he ever played with at Alabama was non other than linebacker Rolando McClain.

“The best football player I ever played with was Rolando McClain,” Ingram said. “He could run. …

“He made me better. He made everybody better. You knew when you came to practice, you better be right because 2-5 lurking, and he will knock your stuff loose if you don’t have your hand on a swivel.”

McClain played three seasons with the Crimson Tide recording 274 total tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and five interceptions. He was heralded as the heartbeat of Saban’s defense and one of the top defenders in the country. Along with his national championship, McClain was a unanimous All-American in 2009, Butkus Award winner, Jack Lambert Trophy winner and was named to the All-SEC team twice.

His performance his junior season ultimately led to him being selected with the No. 8 overall pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft.

He would go on to play five seasons in the NFL with his best coming with the Dallas Cowboys.

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77