Alabama Football: Best player to wear each jersey number in Saban era

Alabama football jersey rankings 41-45

No. 41: Courtney Upshaw

Courtney Upshaw was a pass-rushing linebacker early in Saban’s career at Alabama. He combined for 17.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss over his four-year career. In his final season, he managed to get an interception and return it 45 yards for a touchdown. He also forced six fumbles in college, and it helped him get drafted in the second round. Alabama basically gave him one job: find the quarterback. He wasn’t as well-rounded as others have been at his position, but he did this one job extremely well.

No. 42: Eddie Lacy

After Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, many wondered if Eddie Lacy would continue the line of great running backs. He wasn’t as good as the two before him, but he was still a good back. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and and 17 touchdowns as a junior. His spin move was lethal. He didn’t have the agility of Ingram or the power of Richardson, but he definitely was able to make defenders miss. His running helped lead the Tide to their third ring in the Saban era.

No. 43: Cade Foster

There aren’t good players to wear this number, but Cade Foster is the most famous. Now, he is mostly famous for starting the curse of Nick Saban having bad kickers. His sophomore year was atrocious. However, he became better once he was in charge of only long-range kicks. Also, he never missed an extra point, and Alabama fans wish they could say that about kicking affairs in recent seasons.

No. 44: Kedrick James

You could say that Kedrick James hasn’t done anything for Alabama. You could also say that the only thing he has done is give Saban a headache when he had to suspend James for the Playoff and the first four games of this season. I wouldn’t disagree. However, I couldn’t find another player to put here, so I am going on potential with James. All of the other players to wear this number have finished their careers. James still has plenty of time to turn this ship around.

No. 45: Jalston Fowler

Jalston Fowler came in as a running back. However, he turned into a fullback. Fullbacks are a dying breed, and Fowler might be the last one Saban ever has. However, he was able to block well and catch balls out of the backfield. It was a tough decision for him to move from running back to fullback, but it’s probably what got him a second contract in the NFL.