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

Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Alabama football jersey rankings 31-35

No. 31: Keaton Anderson

Keaton Anderson hasn’t started with the Tide, and he probably won’t in his senior season. However, he has been a quality player in special teams, and he might get some opportunities this year.

No. 32: C.J. Mosley

C.J. Mosley might be the best linebacker Saban has ever coached. It’s close between him, Hightower, and Foster, but Mosley has at least the right to be in the conversation. He was an All-American twice, played in almost all of his games in all four years of college, and truly did it all. He could cover, wrap up running backs, and get in the backfield for sacks and tackles for loss. No matter how much you respect C.J. Mosley as an Alabama linebacker, he truly deserves more.

No. 33: Anfernee Jennings

There are only two quality players that have worn No. 33, and I’m going to give it to Jennings over Trey DePriest for many reasons. If you take what they’ve done so far, Jennings is the better player. Also, he has the potential to do even more in his final season with the Tide. Injuries have hurt him a lot, but that hasn’t stopped other players from making this list. This year, I’m expecting a lot of tackles for loss and sacks for him this season. His strength and use of hands helps him get by linemen, and he has the ability to finish the play when he can reach the quarterback. After losing some rushers this season to the draft, he will probably not have as easy of a path to the quarterback, but he will also be a lot better.

No. 34: Damien Harris

Damien Harris might not be the best running back in Alabama history by stats, but he represents the Tide as well as anyone. His decision to return for his senior season showed how much Alabama meant to him. Listen to a single interview and you’ll see that he bleeds crimson and white. Now, don’t think his stats were bad. The man rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career, including two straight seasons where he rushed for 1,000. He was a very consistent back with pass-catching capabilities and leadership off the field. Now, his name is engraved at Denny Chimes and he is taking handoffs from Tom Brady. Pretty great life if you ask me.

No. 35: Nico Johnson

Nico Johnson was a stable linebacker for the Tide. He wasn’t perfect, but he did a lot of things right. For his career, he had 87 solo tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and two picks. If this number was more contested, he probably wouldn’t have gotten it, but he was still a quality linebacker for Alabama during his four years with the Tide.