Bama in the NFL: San Francisco 49ers Drafted a Pair of Crimson Tide Pioneers

Wilbur Jackson and John Mitchell didn't just make history at Alabama, they both were drafted by the same team, San Francisco.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Aug 22, 2023 7:00 AM EDT

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

Even though the Alabama Crimson Tide has never had a former player named All-Pro or to a Pro Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, the two football powers have a unique and interesting relationship over the years, especially in one historical respect.

Wilbur Jackson, of course, was the first Black athlete to sign a football scholarship to play for the Crimson Tide, and the first to get into a game was John Mitchell. Two years ago, the pioneers were honored with a permanent plaque at the end of the Walk of Champions at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Both players were also drafted by the same NFL franchise, the 49ers. Mitchell was a seventh-round selection in 1973, and Jackson a first-round pick, No. 9 overall, a year later. Jackson ended up playing 94 games in the NFL, most with San Francisco (1974-79), and tallied 971 carries for 3,852 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Mitchell was considered sort of a defensive 'tweener, too small for defensive end and too big to be a linebacker at the NFL level. When he was released by the team prior to the start of the season, Mitchell could have tried to play in the World Football League, but instead opted to return to Alabama and attend law school. Fate had something else in mind, with Paul W. "Bear" Bryant hiring him to be the Crimson Tide's first African-American assistant coach.

He had some other stops as well, including at Arkansas and LSU, but Mitchell retired from coaching following the 2022 season after 28 years with the Steelers.

In terms of longevity with the 49ers, defensive lineman Larry Roberts set the standard. A second-round selection in the 1986 NFL Draft, he played in 89 games from 1986-93, with 34 starts, and was credited with 28 career sacks. He also participated in 12 postseason games for San Francisco, including two Super Bowls.

Jackson is the only other one to play more than four seasons with the franchise.

Bama in the NFL: San Francisco 49ers

The Franchise

National Football Conference

West Division

Team Colors: 49ers Gold and 49ers Red

Founded: 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference. The AAFC merged with the NFL in 1949.

Levi’s Stadium (capacity 68,500)

Playing Surface: Natural Grass

Training Camp: SAP Performance Facility, Santa Clara, Calif.

All-Time Alabama Players

Glen Coffee, RB, 2009
Johnny Davis, RB, 1981
Quinton Dial, DE, 2013 - 2016
Reuben Foster, LB, 2017 - 2018
Wilbur Jackson, RB, 1974 - 1979
Terry Jones Jr., TE, 2005
Antonio Langham, DB, 1998
Kevin Lee, WR, 1996
Bobby Luna, DB, 1955
Jared Mayden, DB, 2020
Jason McAddley, WR, 2005
Willie McCray, DE, 1978
Mark McMillian, DB, 1999
Mike Raines, DT, 1974
Saleem Rasheed, LB, 2002 - 2005
Larry Roberts, DE, 1986 - 1993
Justin Smiley, OG, 2004 - 2007
Vinnie Sunseri, DB, 2016
Wayne Trimble, DB, 1967
DeAndrew White, WR, 2015
Sid Youngelman, DT/DE, 1955

Crimson Tide Drafted Players


Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1953	Travis Hunt	T	23	8	273
1954	Sid Youngelman	T	7	10	83
1955	Bobby Luna	B	6	8	69
1957	Fred Sington Jr.	T	12	7	140
1967	Wayne Trimble	S	4	11	91
1973	John Mitchell	LB	7	18	174
1974	Wilbur Jackson	RB	1	9	9
1974	Mike Raines	DT	6	8	138
1981	Major Ogilvie	RB	12	9	313
1985	Ricky Moore	RB	3	19	75
1986	Larry Roberts	DE	2	12	39
1991	Byron Holdbrooks	DT	10	26	276
2002	Saleem Rasheed	LB	3	4	69
2004	Justin Smiley	G	2	14	46
2009	Glen Coffee	RB	3	10	74
2013	Quinton Dial	DE	5	24	157
2017	Reuben Foster	LB	1	31	31
2023	Cameron Latu	TE	3	38	101

Super Bowl Appearances

Super Bowl XVI (Jan. 24, 1982)

Joe Montana completed 14 of 22 passes, ran for 18 yards in six carries and scored a touchdown as three turnovers cost the Bengals 17 points in a 20-point first half, as San Francisco won its first Super Bowl, 26-21. At 25, Montana was the same age as Joe Namath when Broadway Joe led the New York Jets to an upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. Johnny Davis had two carries for 5 yards.

Super Bowl XXIII (Jan. 22, 1989)

John Taylor reached up and caught a 10-yard throw from Montana with 34 seconds remaining to lift the 49ers to a 20-16 victory over the Bengals. Defensive end Larry Roberts started and was credited with three tackles.

Super Bowl XXIII (Jan. 28, 1990)

The showdown between Montana and John Elway never emerged as the 49ers dominated, 55-10. Montana was 22-for-29, 297 yards and five touchdowns. Roberts was credited with one tackle.

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) in action against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Larry Roberts (91) during Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 55-10. — Bob Deutsch / USA Today Sports

Major Awards/Honors

All-Pro

None

Pro Bowl

None

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the 28th story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC