List of Alabama Crimson Tide starting quarterbacks
This is a list of every Alabama Crimson Tide football team quarterback and the years they participated on the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Alabama quarterbacks have played prominent roles in American society off the gridiron as well. Both Farley Moody and Charlie Joplin died while serving in the First World War.
Starting quarterbacks
1933 to present
The following players were the starting quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide each season since joining the Southeastern Conference in 1933.
Name | Season(s) Started | Notability | References |
---|---|---|---|
Tua Tagovailoa | 2018-present | Tua Tagovailoa won critical acclaim for his 2nd half performance in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship where he lead Alabama to a come-from-behind overtime win against the Georgia Bulldogs. Tagovailoa won the starting job in the 2018 off-season, and started his first game on September 1st against the Louisville Cardinals | |
Jalen Hurts | 2016-2018 | Hurts was the first freshman to start at QB for Nick Saban. He led Alabama to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, which Alabama lost to Clemson, 35-31. In 2018, he led Alabama to the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, where he was replaced during the game by Tua Tagovailoa. | |
Blake Barnett | 2016 | Barnett started the first game of the 2016 season against USC. He was replaced by Jalen Hurts, who became the starting quarterback. After limited playing time in the next few games, Barnett chose to leave the program and transfer to a junior college, and then to Arizona State where he was the backup QB behind Manny Wilkins. Currently he is the starting QB for South Florida University Bulls. | |
Jake Coker | 2015 | Coker led Alabama to the 2016 national championship, where they defeated Clemson, 45-40. | |
Blake Sims | 2014 | Sims was named starting quarterback just prior to their season opener against West Virginia after he won a prolonged competition against Jake Coker. Against Florida, Sims set a school record for total offense in a single game with his 484 yards that included 39 total yards rushing. Sims threw for 3,487 yards (a single season record) with 28 touchdowns. He also added 7 rushing touchdowns and 350 yards on the ground. He led the Tide to win the 2014 SEC Championship, in which he was the game's MVP. | [1][2] |
AJ McCarron | 2011–2013 | McCarron led the Crimson Tide to the 2011 and 2012 national championships and graduated as Alabama's career leader in passing yardage (9,019), completions (686) and touchdowns (77). He also holds the record for passing touchdowns (30) in a single season. He finished runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in the 2013 season. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft. | [3][4][5] |
Greg McElroy | 2009–2010 | McElroy led the Crimson Tide to the 2009 national championship and was named ESPN Academic All-American of the Year for the 2010 season. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the 2011 NFL Draft. | [6] |
John Parker Wilson | 2006–2008 | Wilson graduated as the all-time leader in several categories that have since been eclipsed. He still holds the record for completions in a single-season (255). He went undrafted but played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. | [7] |
Brodie Croyle | 2002–2005 | Croyle graduated as the all-time leader in several categories that have since been eclipsed. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2006 NFL Draft. | [8] |
Mark Guillon | 2004 | Guillon started a pair of games during the 2004 season after Brodie Croyle had a season-ending injury. He subsequently left the program in October 2006. | [9] |
Spencer Pennington | 2004 | Pennington started the final seven games of the 2004 season after injuries to both Brodie Croyle and Mark Guillon. He left the program in January 2005 to focus only on his baseball career with the Crimson Tide. | [10] |
Brandon Avalos | 2003 | Avalos started against Southern Miss during the 2003 season due to injuries to both Brodie Croyle and Spencer Pennington. He left the program in January 2004. | [11] |
Tyler Watts | 2000–2002 | ||
Andrew Zow | 1998–2000 | Led Alabama to a SEC Championship in 1999 and finished his career as the all time passing yards leader (now 4th). | |
John David Phillips | 1998 | As a fifth year senior, Phillips started the first four games of the season before being replaced by Andrew Zow for the year. | [12] |
Freddie Kitchens | 1995–1997 | ||
Brian Burgdorf | 1995 | ||
Jay Barker | 1992–1994 | All-SEC. Barker led Alabama the 1992 national championship. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL draft. | |
Danny Woodson | 1991 | ||
Gary Hollingsworth | 1989–1990 | ||
David Smith | 1987–1988 | ||
Jeff Dunn | 1987–1989 | ||
Vince Sutton | 1987–1988, 1984 | ||
Mike Shula | 1984–1986 | ||
Walter Lewis | 1981–1983 | Lewis was the first black quarterback to start for the Crimson Tide and led Alabama during the final three seasons of the Bryant era. | [13] |
Don Jacobs | 1980 | [14] | |
Steadman S. Shealy | 1979 | All-SEC. Shealy led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and the 1979 national championship. | [15] |
Jeff Rutledge | 1976–1978 | ||
Richard Todd | 1974–1975 | Todd was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft. | |
Gary Rutledge | 1973 | Rutledge was the first of two brothers to lead a national championship team. He led Alabama to the 1973 national championship and his brother Jeff Rutledge led Alabama to the 1978 national championship. | [16][17] |
Terry Davis | 1971–1972 | ||
Neb Hayden | 1970 | ||
Scott Hunter | 1968–1970 | ||
Wayne Trimble | 1966 | ||
Ken Stabler | 1966–1967 | All-SEC. Super Bowl XI Champion. Pro Football Hall of Fame. | |
Steve Sloan | 1962–1965 | ||
Joe Namath | 1962–1964 | All-SEC. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Super Bowl III Champion. | |
Pat Trammell | 1959–1961 | ||
Bobby Jackson | 1958 | ||
Bobby Smith | 1956–1957 | ||
Clay Walls | 1956 | ||
Bart Starr | 1953–1955 | Pro Football Hall of Fame. NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. Two-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP (Most Valuable Player). At Alabama, he also played punter. | [18] |
Clell Hobson | 1951–1952 | ||
Ed Salem | 1949–1950 | ||
Butch Avinger | 1949–1950 | ||
Jack Brown | 1948 | ||
Hugh Morrow | 1947 | ||
Hal Self | 1945–1946 | ||
Harry Gilmer | 1945 | All-SEC | |
Jim McWhorter | 1941–1942 | 1941 team won Cotton Bowl and national championship. 1942 team won Orange Bowl. Drafted by Detroit Lions after WWII service. | |
Chuck DeShane | 1939–1940 | ||
Hal Hughes | 1937–1938 | ||
Vic Bradford | 1936–1938 | ||
Joe Riley | 1936 | All-SEC | |
Riley Smith | 1934–1935 | All-SEC |
1922 to 1932
The following players were the predominant quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide each season after the establishment of the Southern Conference until the establishment of the Southeastern Conference.
Name | Years Started | Notability | References |
---|---|---|---|
Tilden Campbell | 1932–1934 | [19] | |
John Campbell | 1930–1931 | Member of Wallace Wade's last national championship team in 1930 | |
John Tucker | 1930–1931 | Member of Wallace Wade's last national championship team in 1930 | |
Melvin Vines | 1929 | ||
Graham McClintock | 1927–1928 | ||
Davis Brasfield | 1927 | ||
Red Barnes | 1925–1926 | Member of first southern team to win the Rose Bowl. Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators. | [20] |
Allison Hubert | 1924–1925 | All-Southern, member of first southern team to win the Rose Bowl, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1964. Coach Wallace Wade called him "undoubtedly one of the greatest football players of all time." | [21] |
Grant Gillis | 1923–1924 | All-Southern. Quarterback in the first year under Wallace Wade. Major League Baseball player. | [22] |
Max Rosenfeld | 1921 | Major League Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. | |
Charles Bartlett | 1920–1922 | Led team over Penn in 1922. All-Southern. Camp Honorable Mention | [23] |
1895 to 1921
The following players were the predominant quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide each season after the establishment of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association until the establishment of the Southern Conference.
Name | Years Started | Notability | References |
---|---|---|---|
William C. Baty | 1921 | ||
Riggs Stephenson | 1920 | Ended career at quarterback due to injuries. | [24] |
Luke Sewell | 1919 | ||
Mullie Lenoir | 1917 | ||
Dink Hagan | 1913; 1917 | ||
Cecil Creen | 1916 | Creen ran in the touchdown to defeat Mississippi College 7 to 6. All-Southern. Camp gave him honorable mention. | [25] |
Griffin Harsh | 1914–1915 | ||
Charlie Joplin | 1912;1914 | Killed in the First World War. | |
Farley Moody | 1909–1912 | He made the field goal to beat Tulane 5 to 3 in 1910. Moody scored two touchdowns, including a 40-yard punt return, and added four extra points in the 24 to 0 win over Howard in 1911. He coached the 1915 team with athletic director B. L. Noojin after coach Kelley was hospitalized with typhoid fever. Moody was killed in the First World War. | [25][26] |
Emory Peebles | 1908–1910 | ||
Emile Hannon | 1906–1907 | Nicknamed "Chick." Weighed just 120 pounds. Assistant coach for Bama c. 1913. | [27] |
Truman Smith | 1905 | ||
W. L. Ward | 1904 | ||
W. S. Wyatt | 1902–1903 | Later a doctor in Lexington, Kentucky | [28] |
Earl Drennen | 1900–1901 | ||
Forney Johnston | 1899 | ||
Ed Tutwiler | 1897 | Transferred to the University of Virginia. | [29] |
Borden Burr | 1895–1896 | Later a corporate lawyer. | [30] |
1892 to 1894
The following players were the predominant quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide each season the team was a non-conference independent, following the birth of Alabama football.
Name | Years Started | Notability | References |
---|---|---|---|
William Walker | 1892–1894 | Later a distinguished judge in Birmingham | [30] |
References
- ^ Gribble, Andrew (August 30, 2014). "Nick Saban names Blake Sims starter for Alabama's season opener". AL.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Gribble, Andrew (September 23, 2014). "Blake Sims' performance vs. Florida now historic after stat correction gives Tide QB program record". Al.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Low, Chris (December 30, 2013). "McCarron's legacy as winner will endure". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Whittaker, Rachel (January 2, 2014). "Alabama QB AJ McCarron breaks school single-season passing record in Sugar Bowl defeat". The Times-Picayune. NOLA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Kausler, Jr., Don (August 25, 2013). "AJ McCarron at the wheel of Alabama's high-powered offense". The Huntsville Times. AL.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ "Greg McElroy named ESPN Academic All-American of the Year". RollTide.com. November 23, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ MacDonald, John A. (August 24, 2008). "Alabama preview: QB Wilson aims to make final journey memorable". The Birmingham News. AL.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Lin, Dennis (May 21, 2012). "Former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle retires from NFL". The Birmingham News. AL.com. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Cooper, Josh (October 11, 2006). "Guillon leaves Tide". The Decatur Daily. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Walsh, Christopher (January 12, 2005). "Pennington leaves football team". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Deas, Tommy (January 15, 2004). "Brandon Avalos will play baseball at Shelton State". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ Skinner, Jason (November 25, 1998). "Alabama's former top quarterback on sidelines, remains firm in faith". Baptist Press. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
- ^ Dunnavant, Keith (2005). Coach: The Life of Paul "Bear" Bryant. MacMillan. p. 260. ISBN 0312348762. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Ingram, Ron (December 20, 2011). "AHSAA sportsmanship spotlight: Oneonta football team learns from struggles of 'Joe H'". AL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Hicks, Tommy (October 24, 2013). "Former Alabama QB Steadman Shealy notes similarities in Tide, differences in game". AL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ Gold, Eli (2010). Bear's Boys: Thirty-Six Men Whose Lives Were Changed by Coach Paul Bryant. Thomas Nelson Inc. ISBN 9781418574178.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ "Happy Campbell Rejects Offer". The Tuscaloosa News. February 18, 1938.
- ^ "Pasadena Clash Has National Grid Flavor". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. December 26, 1926. p. 13. Retrieved March 4, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pooley Hubert". Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference
- ^ "Teams Selected By Various Scribes". Atlanta Constitution. December 3, 1922. p. 5. Retrieved March 7, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ David Zingler. "Riggs Stephenson Biography". Archived from the original on 2006-12-17. Retrieved 2006-12-25.
- ^ a b "Notable Comeback Victories" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-29.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Nick Saban Era Begins".
- ^ Winston Groom (2000). The Crimson Tide: An Illustrated History of Football at the University of Alabama. Winston Groom.
- ^ "The Mt Sterling Advocate". newspapers.com. The Mt Sterling Advocate.
- ^ "Graduates Come To Varsity's Aid". The Tuscaloosa News. November 17, 1910.
- ^ a b Fuzzy Woodruff. History of Southern Football. Vol. 1. p. 17.