The Scariest Players in Alabama football history

Alabama football has featured many players throughout their history that have simply induced fear in the opposing sideline. Whether it was a player's electric speed, colossal size, or dominating hit power, they have all made an impact in the Tide's 18 national titles. Here are some of the most bone chilling players in Alabama Football history.

Rolando McClain:

Rolando McClain was a staple on the 2009 title team, leading the defense for the Tide. During his time at the Capstone, McClain was pure dominance, Amassing 274 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss over 3 years. McClain was also awarded many accolades during his collegiate career. During his time in Tuscaloosa he was a unanimous all-American, two time first-team All-Sec, and earned the Butkus award and Jack Lambert trophy. What made him so terrifying to opposing offensive coordinators was his elite combination of speed, size, and tenacity, making the opposing offense tremble before every single play.

Devonta Smith

Despite his 6-foot-0 170 lbs frame, The Slim Reaper was a nightmare for the opposing defense game in and game out. Smith petrified the defensive backs that were assigned the daunting task of guarding him with his elite route-running and hands that one could argue were made of stickum. Smith had many magical moments at Alabama, such as catching the game winning pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the 2017 national championship, which still haunts Georgia fans to this day . Smith capped off his Alabama career in 2020, where he led the Tide to a National Championship and he became the Tide's 3rd Heisman in program history.

Derrick Henry

If there was a picture in the dictionary for the term "fear inducing", it might as well be Derrick Henry. At a massive 6-foot-3 and 247 lbs, no one was ever able to bring him down. During his time with the Tide, he rushed for almost 3,600 yards including 2,219 in his Junior season, a season where he also won the Heisman trophy. He became the 2nd running back to win the award in Alabama history. Henry is still terrorizing opposing defenses to this day, as he is regarded as one of the best running backs in the National Football League.

Julio Jones

Julio Jones is one of the most terrifying receivers to ever step onto the field, standing at a daunting 6-foot-3 and 220 lbs. Jones played a key role in the beginning of the Saban era, recording 2,652 receiving yards on 179 catches during his 3 years in Tuscaloosa. Jones continued to terrorize opposing defenses in the NFL, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl win in 2017, where the Patriots won in magical come-from-behind fashion. Even if Julio isn't still in his classic form, he is still known as one of the best and one of the scariest players to ever play the game.

Derrick Thomas

You can't really have this list without including arguably the greatest Alabama player of all time. Derrick Thomas was pure dominance at Alabama, recording 52 sacks which included a 27 sack season during his senior year. D.T continued his dominance with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he amassed 126.5 sacks over 11 seasons including an NFL record 7 sacks in a game. Thomas tragically died in a car accident after the 1999 season, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 in addition to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

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Without any of these players, Alabama wouldn't be known as the college football powerhouse that we all know it to be. Make sure you bring a spare Halloween costume just in case you have to lineup against one of these legendary players.