List Of Alabama Quarterbacks Last 10 Years

Alabama starting QB 2023 Jalen Milroe took over the position from Bryce Young. Milroe joined the Crimson Tide football team in 2021.

Alabama football has a long and illustrious history, with a record 18 national championships and a laundry list of All-Americans and NFL stars.

But, despite all of that success, the team has often been nitpicked for its lack of quality quarterbacks. However, in recent years, the university has been able to alter that trend and produce some of the best field marshals in the country.

The Alabama quarterbacks history stretching back nearly a century is sufficed with impressive athletes. From the pre-Bear Bryant era to the Nick Saban tenure, the QBs have played a major role in the team's success.

The Paul "Bear" Bryant Era

When Paul Bryant took over as head coach of the Crimson Tide in 1961, he brought a new offensive system that would change how the team used to play. 

The wishbone offense, which relied heavily on the QB's ability to run the ball, helped pave the way for some of the most triumphant seasons.

Under Bryant's leadership, several talented athletes surfaced from the Crimson Tide ranks, like Joe Namath, Scott Hunter, Wayne Trimble, and Kenny Stabler, who became household names.

The Saban Experiment 2007-Present

While Alabama continued to produce great teams and talented players after Bear Bryant's departure, the team's quarterbacks struggled to live up to the legacy of their predecessors.

It was not until Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007 that the Crimson Tide once again became a juggernaut in college football.

One of the key factors in the re-emergence of the QBs was the team's move away from the wishbone offense and towards a more traditional passing attack.

As a result, the Crimson Tide began to recruit and develop players who were more comfortable as pocket passers than as runners.

One example can be taken as Blake Sims, who was a running back before joining Tide, but Saban changed his role, and he became one of the most competent QB, the University has ever produced. 

Furthermore, the team has identified and developed brilliant quarterbacks such as McCarron, Tuscaloosa, Jalen, and, more recently, players like Mac Jones, Bryce Young, Paul Tyson, and Jalen Milroe.

Alabama Crimson Tide football Qbs by year are:

• 2022 - Jalen Milroe
• 2021/22 - Bryce Young
• 2019/20 - Mac Jones
• 2018/19 - Tua Tagovailoa
• 2017 - Jalen Hurts
• 2016 - Blake Barnett
• 2015 - Jake Coker and Cooper Bateman
• 2014 - Blake Sims
• 2011/13 - AJ McCarron
• 2009/10 - Greg McElroy
• 2006/08 - John Parker Wilson
• 2002/05 - Brodie Croyle

Over the years, Crimson Tide has produced some serious talents in the quarterback department, especially after the arrival of Nick Saban as the head coach in 2007.

Brandon Avalos and Brodie Croyle were the early 21st-century QBs for the University who paved the way for several skilled players. 

John Parker Wilson, who came as a freshman at the Crimson Tide in 2006, won Saban's trust, became his first starting Qb, and played till 2008. 

Greg McElroy stepped up as a second starting QB of the Nick Saban era and guided the Crimson Tide to win the NCAA championship in 2009. McElroy welcomed the prestigious title of ESPN Academic All-American of the Year for the 2010 season for his outstanding performance.

AJ McCarron took over for McElroy in 2012 and held the position for two seasons. McCarron had an impressive college career, setting multiple school records and leading the team to back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012.

Furthermore, AJ helped lead the Crimson Tide to two national championships in 2011 and 2012 with a 36-4 overall record during his time as a starter. In 2013, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Blake Sims was a bit of an anomaly at that position for Tides, as he was primarily a running back and wide receiver before taking over as the starter in 2014. Sims had an impressive senior season, throwing over 3,400 yards and 28 touchdowns.

With the 2015/16 season gone with three players, Blake Barnett, Cooper Bateman, and Jake Coker fighting for the starting position, a new prospect Jalen Hurts emerged on top.

Jalen stepped onto the field as a true freshman in 2016 but quickly became a household name among Crimson Tide football fans.

Hurts continued to impress throughout his college career, leading Alabama to the national championship game again in 2017 but lost the final to Georgia. 

Following Hurts' departure, Tua Tagovailoa took over as Alabama's starting Qb. Tua led the team to another national championship game appearance in his first full season as a starter, defeating Georgia in a thrilling overtime victory.

However, Tagovailoa suffered a horrible injury in November 2019, and the current New England Patriots star Mac Jones filled his boot. 

In 2020, Jones led Alabama to secure the National Championship title. During that remarkable season, he shattered the team's record for the most passing yards in a year, amassing a total of 4,514 yards.

Bryce Young, who succeeded Mac in the starting lineup during his sophomore year, helped the Crimson Tide to SEC championship in 2021. Bryce also won Heisman Trophy, becoming the first QB from Alabama to achieve the honor.

Jalen Milroe, who replaced Young in the 2022 season, is facing strong competition from youngsters like Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson for the starting role in 2023.

Best Alabama football quarterbacks in the NFL and their draft year:

• Bart Starr - 1956
• Ken Stabler - 1968
• Wayne Trimble - 1967
• Scott Hunter - 1971
• Richard Todd - 1976
• Jeff Rutledge - 1979
• Brodie Croyle - 2006
• Jalen Hurts - 2020
• Tua Tagovailoa - 2020
• Greg McElroy - 2011
• AJ McCarron - 2014
• Bryce Young - 2023

Over the years, Alabama has produced several exceptional QBs who have gone on to shine in the National Football League. From as early as the 1950s, there has been a QB from the Crimson and White who have played in NFL.

Bart Starr, who the Green Bay Packers drafted, led the Packers to five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowl victories in 1967 and 1968. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and was titled the Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl twice.

Ken Stabler played in the NFL for 17 seasons and conquered the Super Bowl with the Oakland Raiders in 1976. The 1974 NFL MVP earned the Pro Football Hall of Fame honor in 2016.

The Kansas City Chiefs picked Brodie Croyle in the 2006 NFL Draft and he played four seasons for Kansas before moving to the Arizona Cardinals in 2011.

The Saban era at the University has undeniably seen an increase in the number of QBS making it to the NFL compared to the years prior to his arrival.

QBs such as McCarron, Tagovailoa, Hurts, and McElroy have all been drafted in recent years and have made significant contributions to their respective teams.

The 21-year-old Bryce Young, Alabama's starting quarterback for 2021, also made it into the NFL after Carolina Panthers selected him in the 2023 NFL Draft.