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By the SouthernPigskin.com Staff
In the "Perfect Ten" series, members of the SouthernPigskin.com Staff will rank the ten best players at each school since 1975. First up, Alabama.
In an attempt to help bring into to focus just a small piece of the humbling tradition of football in the south, the SouthernPigskin.com Staff will rank the top ten players at each ACC and SEC school from 1975 until now. These post-Vietnam War rankings, if you will, will help showcase the best of the best in the relatively modern era of southern college football. Auburn is up next followed by Arkansas.
Perfect Ten: Alabama
1. Cornelius Bennett, LB (1983-1986) - Was named a three-time first-team All-American for the Crimson Tide. You just don't see that anymore in college football. Won SEC Player of the Year honors and the Lombardi Award as a senior. One of the toughest defenders of all time.
2. Ozzie Newsome, TE ( 1974-1977) - One of the greatest wide receivers in college football history, Newsome won three SEC titles while with the Crimson Tide. He was a proven deep threat in an era before deep threats existed. Newsome was a trend-setter at the position. Finished his career with 2,072 receiving yards and a 20.3 yard per catch average, best in SEC history. Newsome, who started 47 straight games, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
3. Derrick Thomas, LB (1985-1988) - One of the best linebackers in college football history. Thomas had 45 sacks in his last two seasons at Alabama, including a ridiculous 27 in 1988. Thomas won the Butkus Award his senior season. He revolutionized the linebacker position in many ways.
4. Woodrow Lowe, LB (1972-1975) - Like Bennett, a three-time All-American at Alabama. Was on four SEC Championship teams and won a national championship as well. Holds the Crimson Tide record for tackles in a season with 134. Was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
5. Antonio Langham, CB (1990-1993) - Arguably the top defensive back in the history of the Crimson Tide program, Langham dominated opponents with a incredible mix of athleticism and technique. Had 13 interceptions in his final two seasons and won the Thorpe Award.
6. Chris Samuels, OT (1996-1999) - Won the Outland Trophy in 1999 and was the third overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Provided unrivaled protection off the edge for Alabama quarterbacks and was often the lead blocker for the super productive Sean Alexander.
7. Shaun Alexander, RB (1996-1999) - The 1999 SEC Player of the Year, Alexander was the star workhorse for the SEC Champion Crimson Tide that year. Scored 24 total touchdowns and had two big games in two victories against the Florida Gators that fall.
8. Jay Barker, QB (1991-1994) - Led the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1992. In 1994, Barker won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Had a career record of 35-2-1, the best record of any Alabama signal caller.
9. Don McNeal, CB (1977-1979) - Won two national championships for Alabama and made a number of big plays, including the key tackle in the Sugar Bowl against Penn State, throughout his career. Was an All-American defender in his senior season.
10. Eric Curry/John Copeland, DE's (1989-1992) - OK so these are two players, but it's hard to seperate this bookend tandem. Curry and Copeland both earned All-American honors on the 1992 Crimson Tide national championship team and both went on to be top six picks in the NFL Draft.
Next: Arkansas
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