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
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1933 to present
editThe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Milroe | 2022–2023 | As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Milroe got the start against Texas A&M in place of an injured Bryce Young. Milroe would throw three touchdown passes in the Tide's 24–20 win. | |
| Tyler Buchner | 2023 | Buchner started one game in 2023 against South Florida after a loss to Texas in the previous week led the team to bench Jalen Milroe. He was replaced by Ty Simpson before halftime, and did not appear in any other games before entering the transfer portal as a lacrosse player at the end of the season. | [1] |
| Bryce Young | 2021–2022 | As a sophomore in 2021, led the Tide to the SEC championship and a Cotton Bowl victory. Young became the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy. | |
| Mac Jones | 2019–2020 | Mac Jones became the starting quarterback the week after Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending injury against Southeastern Conference rival Mississippi State on November 16, 2019. Jones led Alabama to win the College Football National Championship in 2020. Jones broke Alabama's single-season passing yards record (4,514) and broke the FBS single-season record for completion percentage (77.4%). | [2] |
| Tua Tagovailoa | 2018–2019 | Tua Tagovailoa won critical acclaim for his 2nd half performance in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship where he led 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 1 against the Louisville Cardinals | |
| Jalen Hurts | 2016–2017 | Hurts was the first freshman to start at QB for Nick Saban. He led Alabama to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game, which Alabama lost to Clemson, 35–31. In the 2017 season, 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. He was then the starting QB for the University of South Florida Bulls. | |
| Cooper Bateman | 2015 | Bateman made his first career start at quarterback September 19, 2015 | |
| 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. | [3][4] |
| A. J. 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. | [5][6][7] |
| 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. | [8] |
| 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. | [9] |
| 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. | [10] |
| 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. | [11] |
| Spencer Pennington | 2003–2004 | He made his first career start October 4, 2003. 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. | [12] |
| 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. | [13] |
| Tyler Watts | 1999–2002 | ||
| Andrew Zow | 1998–2001 | 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. | [14] |
| Lance Tucker | 1997 | ||
| Freddie Kitchens | 1995–1997 | ||
| Brian Burgdorf | 1993, 1995 | ||
| Jay Barker | 1991–1994 | 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. | [15] |
| Alan Gray | 1981 | ||
| Ken Coley | 1981 | ||
| Don Jacobs | 1980 | [16] | |
| Steadman S. Shealy | 1979 | All-SEC. Shealy led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and the 1979 national championship. | [17] |
| 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. | [18][19] |
| 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. | [20] |
| Clell Hobson | 1951–1952 | ||
| Ed Salem | 1948–1950 | ||
| Butch Avinger | 1949–1950 | ||
| Jack Brown | 1948 | ||
| Hugh Morrow | 1947 | ||
| Hal Self | 1945–1946 | ||
| Harry Gilmer | 1944–1947 | 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 | Outfielder in Major League Baseball. | |
| Joe Riley | 1936 | All-SEC | |
| Riley Smith | 1934–1935 | All-SEC | |
| Tilden Campbell | 1932–1934 | [21] |
1922 to 1932
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Red Barnes
Pooley Hubert
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Charles Bartlett running vs. Georgia.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Campbell | 1930–1931 | A member of Wallace Wade's last national championship team in 1930. | |
| John Tucker | 1930–1931 | A 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 | Barnes was a member of the first southern team to win the Rose Bowl, playing then as a halfback. Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators. | [22] |
| Allison Hubert | 1924–1925 | Hubert is the first quarterback for the Crimson Tide to win a national championship. He was All-Southern, a member of the first southern team to win the Rose Bowl, and 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." | [23] |
| Grant Gillis | 1923–1924 | Gillis was the first quarterback under Wallace Wade, and so is the first quarterback for the Crimson Tide to win a conference championship, and the first to be selected composite All-Southern. He was later a Major League Baseball player. | [24] |
| Charles Bartlett | 1920–1922 | Bartlett led the Tide to a 9–7 upset win over coach John Heisman's Penn team in 1922, one of the first times the Tide received national coverage in the newspapers. He was selected to some All-Southern teams, and received Walter Camp's All-America Honorable Mention. | [25] |
1895 to 1921
edit
Luke Sewell with the St. Louis Browns.
Mullie Lenoir
Cecil Creen
Farley Moody
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Tutwiler cropped from Virginia team picture
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Rosenfeld | 1921 | Major League Baseball player for the Brooklyn Dodgers. | |
| William C. Baty | 1921 | ||
| Jack Hovater | 1920 | Captain of 1917 team. | |
| Luke Sewell | 1919 | Played in Major League Baseball as a catcher. | |
| Mullie Lenoir | 1917 | Was an All-Southern halfback in 1919 and 1920. Later coach at Bluefield. | |
| Dink Hagan | 1913; 1917 | ||
| Cecil Creen | 1916 | Creen ran in the touchdown to defeat Mississippi College 13 to 7. All-Southern. Walter Camp gave him All-America honorable mention. He transferred to Washington & Lee. | [26] |
| Griffin Harsh | 1914–1915 | ||
| Charlie Joplin | 1912;1914 | Joplin was ruled ineligible because he refused to sign an affidavit stating that he had never played professional baseball. He was killed in the First World War. | [27] |
| 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. | [26][28] |
| Emory Peebles | 1908–1910 | ||
| Emile Hannon | 1906–1907 | Nicknamed "Chick." Weighed just 120 pounds. Assistant coach for Bama c. 1913. | [29] |
| Truman Smith | 1905 | ||
| W. L. Ward | 1904 | ||
| W. S. Wyatt | 1902–1903 | Later a doctor in Lexington, Kentucky | [30] |
| Earl Drennen | 1900–1901 | ||
| Forney Johnston | 1899 | ||
| Ed Tutwiler | 1897 | Transferred to the University of Virginia. Son of Birmingham philanthropist and New Market cadet Edward Magruder Tutwiler and relative of reformer Julia Tutwiler who is the namesake of Tutwiler Hall. One account reads "Ed Tutwiler is one of the greatest stars that football in the south ever produced. He was a graduate of the University in the class of '98, and afterwards went to the University of Virginia. He was considered the pluckiest quarterback in the south, and was noted for head work and generalship." | [31] |
| Borden Burr | 1895–1896 | Later a corporate lawyer. | [32] |
1892 to 1894
editThe 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 | [32] |
References
edit- ^ "New ball game: Tide QB Buchner in portal for lax". ESPN.com. December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Wittry, Andy (September 20, 2021). "Mac Jones: College football career, stats, highlights, records". ncaa.com. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- ^ 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, Don Jr. (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 October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Bart Starr, by John Devaney, pg. 38
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Notable Comeback Victories" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2014.
- ^ "Charlie Joplin - Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice". www.baseballsgreatestsacrifice.com.
- ^ "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.
