How many former Crimson Tide players are now NFL stars?
The pride of the Crimson Tide badge
The Crimson Tide college football program is undergoing one of its most fruitful eras in the University of Alabama’s history. With four back-to-back playoff appearances and three back-to-back national finals, the Crimson Tide remains one of the most decorated programs in the NCAA. Head coach, Nick Saban, has been at the helm for more than a decade now and in that time, he has helped to nurture a string of college football hopefuls into fully-fledged NFL superstars.
There is always a lot of reshuffling between the off-season and the new season in NFL. Since the NFL began holding drafts in 1936, the University of Alabama has had 355 players drafted into the NFL. How many ex-Crimson Tide proteges are currently plying their trade in the NFL’s 99th season? 44 to be exact. This group of players hold places on active rosters within the NFL, with the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars each boasting five ex-Crimson Tide players on their rosters.
Alabama’s current longest-serving NFL pro
The physical specimen that is Andre Smith
You must look to the Arizona Cardinals’ roster to find the Crimson Tide’s former offensive tackle, Andre Smith, who is entering his tenth year in the NFL. After being unanimously named in the All-American in 2008, Smith declared himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft. Given his raw athleticism and power, Smith was a Top 5 pick in the Draft and was soon snapped up by the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith enjoyed seven seasons with the Bengals, with a single season with the Minnesota Vikings sandwiched in between. Now in his first year with the Cardinals, Smith is no doubt entering the twilight of his NFL career and has made huge strides since graduating from Alabama.
A nod to the NFL 2018 rookies from the Crimson Tide
In the build up to the 2018 NFL season, there were four ex-Crimson Tide stars that were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Minkah Fitzpatrick grabbed most of the headlines for his switch to the Miami Dolphins. Fitzpatrick was another like Andre Smith to scoop All-American honours with Alabama before making the switch to the big league. Even ESPN had him labelled as a five-star recruit ahead of the Draft. The Dolphins made no secret of the fact that Fitzpatrick’s involvement as a key starter in the title-winning Crimson Tide sides of 2015 and 2017 had a major bearing on their decision to snap the Safety up. In their SEC Title clash with Florida, Fitzpatrick smashed the Crimson Tide’s all-time-record for career interceptions returned for a touchdown.
While Fitzpatrick was only the 11th pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Da’Ron Payne was only just behind him as the 13th pick. Payne joined the Washington Redskins after helping to lead the Crimson Tide to their second national championship in three seasons. At 6ft 3in and 319lb, Payne is an absolute physical specimen and is sure to make an impact as Nose Tackle for the Redskins.
The third of the four former Crimson Tide graduates to be picked in the first round of this year’s Draft was linebacker, Rashaan Evans. The Tennessee Titans swooped for Evans as the 22nd pick but injuries have so far curtailed the rookie’s chances of making his mark on the Titans’ team. After more than three weeks on the sidelines, Evans was recently pulled out of training on his comeback; indicating the problem that had previously been declared “nothing serious” was still rearing its ugly head.
The fourth and final ex-Crimson Tide graduate to be selected in the first round of the 2018 Draft was receiver, Calvin Ridley. Believe it or not, Ridley has taken to the NFL like a duck to water. Earlier this month, Ridley became the first NFL rookie ever to have six touchdown receptions in his opening quartet of appearances. His two-touchdown efforts for the Atlanta Falcons against the Bengals in Week Four were particularly impressive.
The future is certainly bright for the conveyor belt of Crimson Tide talent. With this year’s Crimson Tide side flying high at the top of the SEC West, hopes remain high for more Fitzpatrick’s and Ridley’s to be ready for the national stage in the 2019 Draft.
