Bama in the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles Soaring with Latest Alabama Flock

Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson are redefining the Crimson Tide's legacy with the proud NFL franchise.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Aug 20, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

In this story:

It's not like Alabama football didn't already have a pretty good history with the Philadelphia Eagles, it did. Among the 27 players who have suited up for the franchise in at least one regular-season game offensive lineman Evan Mathis had an All-Pro season and Russ Craft had back-to-back Pro Bowl selections back in 1951-52. One could have an interesting discussion about who had the stronger legacy.

Craft played eight years in Philadelphia and helped the Eagles win their first two NFL titles. He also has a share of the NFL record for most interceptions in a single game with four (during a game his team had eight). The converted running back was only 5-9 and 170 pounds, but became one of the top defensive backs in the league, plus he volunteered to play special teams. His 103-yard kick return for a touchdown stood as an Eagles record until 1961.

"I was small but I played hard," Craft once told Eagles.com. "I worked at being a sound defensive back. I had my share of interceptions but I always approached things conservatively. Some guys like to gamble and go for the big play. I didn't do that. I was more concerned with not giving up the big play. If the opportunity (to make a big play) came my way I took it, but I didn't go looking for it. That's how you get burned."

"Russ was one of those unsung heroes," tackle Vic Sears said. "He did a little of everything. He returned kicks, he was outstanding on defense, and when Steve was hurt Russ stepped in and did a good job at halfback. He was little but he would've been the last guy on the team I'd want to fight. I don't think anybody could've whipped him, not even Bucko (Kilroy, the All-Pro tackle). He was strong and he had unbelievably quick hands. Pound for pound, Russ was probably the toughest guy on the team."

Toughness was also the calling card of Mathis, the nephew of Bob Baumhower. He was rated as the league's best guard in 2011, 2012 and 2013 by Pro Football Focus, which chose him for its inaugural Bruce Matthews Award as the league's best lineman. But he was released by the Eagles in 2015 following a contract holdout, and subsequently won a Super Bowl with the Broncos, but was out of football by 2017.

Defensive lineman "Big Jess" Richardson also deserves a mention with his hometown team. Not only would he wear the smallest-sized shoulder pads that would fit, and no other padding under his jersey, but refused to wear a face mask until the league made it mandatory.

But the former Crimson Tide players on the current Eagles are redefining things, especially with Jalen Hurts at quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith his favorite target, and Landon Dickerson on the offensive line. They all played a big part in Philadelphia's Super Bowl run last season.

Bama in the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles

The Franchise

National Football Conference

East Division

Team Colors: Midnight Green, Silver, Black and White

Founded: 1933, as a replacement for the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets

Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field (capacity 69,879)

Playing Surface: Natural Grass

Training Camp: NovaCare Complex One

All-Time Alabama Players

Bendross, Jesse, WR, 1987
Jeremy Clark, DT, 2010
Russ Craft, DB/RB, 1946 - 1954
Landon Dickerson, C, 2021 - 2022
Alonzo Ephraim, C, 2003 - 2004
Woody Gerber, OG, 1941 - 1942
Jalen Hurts, QB, 2020 - 2022
Bobby Jackson, DB, 1960
Josh Jobe, CB, 2022
Ken MacAfee, TE/OE, 1959
Evan Mathis, OG, 2011 - 2014
Jared Mayden, DB, 2021 - 2022
Mark McMillian, DB, 1992 - 1995
Freddie Milons, WR, 2002
Derrick Oden, LB, 1993 - 1995
Ross Pierschbacher, C, 2020
Mike Pitts, DE, 1987 - 1992
Jess Richardson, DT, 1953 - 1956, 1958 - 1961
Ramzee Robinson, DB, 2009
DeMeco Ryans, LB, 2012 - 2015
DeVonta Smith, WR, 2021 - 2022
Damion Square, DE, 2013
Siran Stacy, RB, 1992
Kevin Turner, RB, 1995 - 1999
Chance Warmack, OG, 2017 - 2018
John Wyhonic, G, 1946 - 1947
Sid Youngelman, DT/DE, 1956 - 1958

Crimson Tide Players Drafted


Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1942	John Wyhonic	G	14	3	123
1943	George Weeks	E	14	2	122
1943	Russ Craft	B	15	2	132
1945	Norm "Monk" Mosley	B	23	9	239
1945	Ken Reese	B	31	4	322
1948	Ray Richeson	G	10	9	84
1953	Jess Richardson	TE	8	7	92
1955	Cecil Ingram	B	23	8	273
1956	Al Ellett	TE	27	5	318
1992	Siran Stacy	RB	2	20	48
1992	Mark McMillian	CB	10	20	272
1993	Derrick Oden	LB	6	23	163
1996	Tony Johnson	TE	6	30	197
2002	Freddie Milons	WR	5	27	162
2020	Jalen Hurts	QB	2	21	53
2021	DeVonta Smith	WR	1	10	10
2021	Landon Dickerson	G	2	5	37
2023	Anthony Steen	G	3	2	65

Super Bowl Appearances

Super Bowl XXXIX (Feb. 6, 2005)

The Patriots held off the Eagles, 24-21, to win their third title in four years. Tom Brady was 23-for-33 for 236 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. Donovan McNabb was 30-for-51 for 357 yards, but had three interceptions to go with his three touchdown throws. Center Alonzo Ephraim was a reserve for the Eagles.

Super Bowl LII (Feb. 4, 2018)

The Eagles and Patriots played a record-setting shootout paced by Nick Foles (373 passing yards) and Brady (505), with Philadelphia coming out on top this time, 41-33. Foles, the backup to Carson Wentz, was named game MVP after leading the 75-yard game-winning touchdown drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown throw to Zach Ertz. Reserve offensive lineman Chance Warmack played four snaps, two on special teams.

Super Bowl LVII (Feb. 12, 2023)

Jalen Hurts passed for 304 yards and a touchdown, set a Super Bowl record with 70 rushing yards by a quarterback, and tied a record with three rushing scores, but Patrick Mahomes pulled off a dramatic comeback for the Chiefs, who won 38-35. DeVonta Smith had seven receptions for 100 yards, including a 45-yard gain to set up Hurts' final touchdown. Landon Dickerson started at guard, Josh Jobe played 23 snaps on special teams.

Major Awards/Honors

All-Pro

Evan Mathis (1): 2013

Pro Bowl

Evan Mathis (2): 2013, 2014

Russ Craft (2): 1951, 1952

Landon Dickerson (1); 2022

Jalen Hurts (1): 2022

Jess Richardson (1): 1959

Tied for most interceptions in single game (4): Russ Craft, 1950

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the 26th story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC