Nick Saban enumerates his top five Alabama players.

Nick Saban has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. Over his storied tenure at Alabama, he has transformed the program into a juggernaut, winning multiple national championships and producing countless NFL-caliber players. One of the defining features of Saban’s reign at Alabama has been his ability to identify, develop, and maximize the potential of his players, turning them into future stars at the collegiate level and beyond.

Given Saban’s extensive knowledge of football and the remarkable athletes he has coached throughout his career, it is no surprise that he has developed a deep understanding of what makes a player truly great. In a rare moment of reflection, Saban was recently asked to enumerate his top five Alabama players of all time. While there’s always room for debate when it comes to ranking legendary athletes, Saban’s choices reveal much about his coaching philosophy, the attributes he values in players, and the players who have most impacted Alabama’s success over the years.

1. Derrick Henry – The Unstoppable Force

Derrick Henry, the former Alabama running back and current NFL superstar, occupies the top spot on Saban’s list. To Saban, Henry embodies everything he wants in a player: size, strength, perseverance, and the ability to take over a game. It’s hard to argue against Henry’s place as one of the greatest to ever wear an Alabama uniform.

Henry’s journey to greatness at Alabama was a story of patience, development, and eventual domination. After redshirting his first year in 2013, Henry bided his time behind seniors T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake. However, when he finally got the chance to be the feature back in 2015, he exploded into the national spotlight. That year, Henry won the prestigious Heisman Trophy, and his 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns propelled Alabama to a national championship appearance. His stiff-arm runs and ability to wear down defenses became iconic, making him the clear focal point of the Alabama offense.

Saban has frequently mentioned Henry’s remarkable physical traits, noting his 6’3″, 247-pound frame that combined with rare speed for a player of his size. It wasn’t just Henry’s physical gifts that made him special, but also his relentless work ethic and the way he learned to refine his game. By his final season at Alabama, Henry had become a complete back who could not only dominate between the tackles but also catch passes out of the backfield.

Henry’s success has translated into an even more impressive career in the NFL, where he continues to break records as the centerpiece of the Tennessee Titans’ offense. Saban has often praised Henry for his leadership qualities and his ability to carry a team, which makes him a perfect example of the type of player Saban looks for—someone who can be both dominant and humble while working tirelessly to achieve greatness.

2. Julio Jones – The Ultimate Playmaker

When it comes to Alabama’s wide receivers, Julio Jones is often considered the gold standard. As one of the most physically gifted players to ever don the Crimson Tide uniform, Jones ranks second on Saban’s list of top players. His combination of size, speed, and agility was unprecedented, and he quickly became a nightmare for defensive backs across the SEC.

Jones arrived at Alabama in 2008 and made an immediate impact, earning a starting spot as a freshman. His ability to stretch the field with explosive speed, combined with his ability to make contested catches, set him apart from his peers. Throughout his three years at Alabama, Jones was consistently the go-to player in critical moments. His most iconic performance came during the 2010 SEC Championship Game, where he torched Florida’s defense for over 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns, leading Alabama to a dominant victory.

Saban often credits Jones not just for his physical attributes, but also for his mental toughness and maturity. Despite having the talent to be a top pick in the NFL draft after his sophomore season, Jones chose to return for his junior year to help Alabama chase a national championship. His decision paid off, as the Tide captured the 2010 national title, with Jones playing a crucial role in their success.

Following his time at Alabama, Jones became one of the NFL’s most dominant wide receivers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and cementing his legacy as one of the best in the business. Saban admires Jones not just for his on-field prowess, but also for his leadership and work ethic, which is why he is widely regarded as one of the top players in the program’s history.

3. Tua Tagovailoa – The Golden Arm

Tua Tagovailoa, the Hawaiian-born quarterback who led Alabama to the 2017 national championship, is third on Saban’s list. Tagovailoa’s meteoric rise to fame began in 2017, when he famously replaced Jalen Hurts in the second half of the national championship game against Georgia. With Alabama trailing 13-0, Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns, including the game-winning pass in overtime, earning him the title of national hero and establishing him as the future of the Alabama program.

Saban has often praised Tua for his poise, maturity, and football IQ, particularly for a player who was just a freshman at the time. Tagovailoa’s accuracy, ability to read defenses, and quick release made him one of the most effective quarterbacks in college football history. His arm strength was undeniable, but what really set him apart was his ability to perform in clutch situations—something that became a hallmark of his career.

Over the next two seasons, Tagovailoa led Alabama to two more College Football Playoff appearances and helped continue the team’s dominance in the SEC. His 2018 season, in which he threw for over 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns, is still one of the best individual seasons for a quarterback in Alabama history.

Despite battling injuries that ultimately led to his departure for the NFL after his junior year, Tagovailoa’s impact on Alabama’s program is undeniable. He set numerous records at Alabama and elevated the Crimson Tide offense to new heights. In addition to his physical skills, Saban lauded Tagovailoa’s leadership and character, noting how he handled adversity both on and off the field.

4. Minkah Fitzpatrick – The Defensive Mastermind

Nick Saban is known for his expertise in developing elite defensive players, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is perhaps the best example of that. The versatile safety from Old Bridge, New Jersey, was a key piece in Alabama’s defense from 2015 to 2017. Fitzpatrick’s ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, his football intelligence, and his knack for making big plays were just a few of the qualities that earned him a spot in Saban’s top five.

Fitzpatrick’s most memorable moment came during the 2017 season, when he intercepted a pass in the national championship game against Georgia, essentially sealing Alabama’s victory. Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick was a constant playmaker—whether it was breaking up passes, recording interceptions, or coming up with crucial tackles.

Saban consistently praised Fitzpatrick for his understanding of the game and his ability to make adjustments on the fly. In a defense that values versatility and high football IQ, Fitzpatrick was the perfect fit. His ability to lock down receivers, play in the box, and even step up as a cornerback when needed made him one of the most dynamic players to ever play at Alabama.

After his standout career at Alabama, Fitzpatrick went on to be drafted in the first round by the Miami Dolphins and later became a Pro Bowl player with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His impact on Alabama’s defense continues to be felt, and Saban credits him with setting the standard for defensive excellence in the program.

5. Landon Collins – The Iron Curtain

Landon Collins, another standout safety in the Nick Saban era, rounds out the top five on Saban’s list. Collins was a key member of Alabama’s 2014 national championship team, and his physicality, leadership, and ability to impact the game were integral to the team’s success. Saban has frequently spoken about Collins’ football IQ and his ability to execute the defensive game plan with precision.

Collins’ most notable performance came in the 2015 Sugar Bowl, where he intercepted two passes and helped lead Alabama to a decisive win over Ohio State. Throughout his career at Alabama, Collins established himself as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in college football, and his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and create turnovers was unparalleled.

Saban has mentioned Collins as a player who epitomized the ideal Alabama football player: tough, smart, and relentless. Collins’ leadership on and off the field set the tone for the rest of the defense and helped elevate Alabama’s secondary to new heights. Following his successful college career, Collins went on to be a first-round draft pick by the New York Giants, where he continued to shine in the NFL.

 A Legacy of Excellence

Nick Saban’s top five Alabama players represent the essence of what it takes to be great at the highest level of college football. From Derrick Henry’s brute force to Julio Jones’ playmaking ability, Tua Tagovailoa’s poise under pressure, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s versatility, and Landon Collins’ hard-hitting leadership, each of these players embodies the qualities that Saban values most in his athletes: physicality, intelligence, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Saban’s choices reflect not just the individual talent of these players, but also their ability to contribute to the team’s success. Each player helped define an era of Alabama football, and their legacies will continue to be remembered as a major part of the program’s storied history. As Saban continues to build his dynasty at Alabama, the players who have come through the program will forever be part of the foundation that helped make the Crimson Tide a college football powerhouse.