Bama Central

Who are the best players from Texas to put on a Crimson Tide uniform?

As Alabama heads to College Station to face Texas A&M, a look its best players from the Lone Star State over the years
Tyler Martin|
Alabama Athletics

As Alabama gears up to make a trip out west to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday afternoon, the Lone Star State has become pivotal for the Crimson Tide on the recruiting trail.

Currently, the Crimson Tide has nine players on the roster from Texas.

Wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyrell Shavers, long snapper Thomas Fletcher, a quartet of defensive backs that include Jared Mayden, Scooby Carter, Marcus Banks, and Connor Adams, tight end Major Tennison, and offensive linemen Chris Owens all hail from the Longhorn State.

While Owens is dealing with a knee injury and will almost certainly miss the game, Waddle, Mayden, Tennison, and Fletcher could all start. Waddle also does double duty as punt and kick-return specialist.

The Crimson Tides holds a six-game winning streak over the Aggies and the biannual trip calls for a look at the best players to come from the state during the Nick Saban era.

5. DB Tony Brown, 2014-17 (Beaumont)

Brown’s recruitment came down to the wire between Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, USC, and Texas. The Beaumont native might be best known for his post-game interview against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.

His defining moment on the field came during the 2018 National Championship Game against Georgia when he intercepted a Jake Fromm pass early in the first quarter, en route to a thrilling Crimson Tide overtime victory.

For his career, Brown recorded 86 total tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble. He's currently a starting cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.

4. S Deionte Thompson, 2015-18 (Orange)

Thompson was committed to the Crimson Tide well before his junior season in February of 2013. Alabama had to fend off Baylor, Florida State, LSU, and Notre Dame for his services.

He became a full-time starter in 2018 and it was his best year in a Crimson Tide uniform as he achieved first team All-SEC status and was voted a first team All-American from Sports Illustrated. He led the team with 48.5 solo tackles and four forced fumbles, the second-most in school history for a single season.

Thompson’s redshirt-junior season was a huge factor in the Arizona Cardinals drafting him in the fifth round of last year’s NFL draft.

3. DT A’Shawn Robinson, 2013-15 (Ft. Worth)

The Crimson Tide landed Robinson on National Signing Day of 2013, just days after the Ft. Worth native decommitted from the Texas Longhorns.

Robinson proved to be an impact player from the start because as a freshman, he became the first ever true freshman to lead the Crimson Tide in sacks under Saban, with 5.5. At the end of that season, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team.

He followed with starting every game in 2014 and 2015, helping lead a Crimson Tide defense that topped the nation in rushing yards per game, yards per carry, and sacks in the 2015 season, which culminated with Alabama's 16th national championship.

The Detroit Lions selected Robinson with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he led all defensive tackles with seven pass deflections.

2. QB Greg McElroy, 2006-10 (Southlake)

McElroy was originally committed to Texas Tech before former Crimson Tide coach Mike Shula was able to flip him to the Crimson Tide in the winter of 2006. He sat behind John Parker Wilson for two seasons before he got his opportunity as the starter for the Crimson Tide in 2009.

As the quarterback of the 2009 national championship team he went on to complete 60 percent of his passes for 2,508 yards and 17 touchdowns with only four interceptions. His standout performance came in the 2009 SEC Championship Game when he threw for 240 yards and one touchdown against Florida and took home the most valuable player award.

As a senior in 2010, his numbers improved all around. The passing yards went up to 2,987, the completion percentage to over 70 percent, and the touchdowns ticked up to 20.

1. QB Jalen Hurts, 2016-18 (Houston, TX)

The Crimson Tide had to fight off a last-minute push from the Aggies of Texas A&M to keep Hurts committed. Former Aggie coach Kevin Sumlin wanted to land Hurts after he lost two quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen, to transfers.

Hurts entered Crimson Tide lore pretty quickly as a freshman, in 2016, when he threw for 2,780 yards, 23 touchdowns, and added 954 yards on the ground along with 13 rushing touchdowns. That freshman campaign landed him SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.

After losing the quarterback battle to Tua Tagovailoa at the start of the 2018 season, Hurts helped guide the Crimson Tide to a fourth-quarter comeback against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. It included throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy followed by the game-winning 15-yard rushing touchdown.

Hurts transferred to Oklahoma. Through five games he's thrown 1,523 yards, 15 touchdowns, and rushing for 500 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Published
Tyler Martin
TYLER MARTIN

Tyler Martin is a staff writer with Bama Central and has been covering the Crimson Tide since August of 2019. He emphasizes in recruiting, football, and basketball, while covering all other Alabama athletics. 

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