🏈 Elite 11 Quarterbacks and Crimson Tide Football

[LBS]

I just learned the the Tides news QB commitment, Cooper Bateman, received an invitation to the Elite 11 QB camp. To me the Elite 11s are the Who's Who of high school Field Generals.

It occured to me that A.J. is an Elite 11, as is Phillip Ely and our recently departed Phillip Sims. And now we are replacing Elite 11s with Elite 11s. A stable of Elite QBs ... at Alabama?!? When did this happen? This spurred me to do some research.

Current starter A.J. McCarron was Elite 11. A.J. replaced Greg McElroy who was not and Elite 11, however Greg did beat out Star Jackson who was an Elite 11. Greg replaced John Parker Wilson who was not an Elite 11, but John Parker beat out Elite 11 QB Jimmy Barnes for the starting role. John Parker replaced Brody Croyle who was an Elite 11 QB signing in 2002. Brody replaced Andrew Zow who was not an Elite 11.

This means that the last time that the Crimson Tide did not have the option of having and Elite 11/Who's Who of high school QBs under center was 2001. The Wikipedia summary for that season of Crimson Tide football reads as follows:

The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 (3–5) record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first season as head coach of the Crimson Tide following the dismissal of Mike DuBose. The team finished with a victory in the 2001 Independence Bowl and an overall record of 7–5.

My, how things have changed. Roll Tide!

 

[TerryP]

You happened to forget Star Jackson in that list. He was a top five pro-style QB coming out of HS as well. I can't recall which one of the two was right below him, but he fell between Andrew Luck and Landry Jones in rankings the year he came out of school.

It goes to show the difference between potential and producer. It's not surprising Saban is so insistent on having these QB's in summer camps to gauge "coachability," among other things.

It also is surprising to see Coop commit without going through the summer camp. Is that a sign of just how much they regard his talent and future?

 

[Bo]

You happened to forget Star Jackson in that list. He was a top five pro-style QB coming out of HS as well. I can't recall which one of the two was right below him, but he fell between Andrew Luck and Landry Jones in rankings the year he came out of school.

It goes to show the difference between potential and producer. It's not surprising Saban is so insistent on having these QB's in summer camps to gauge "coachability," among other things.

It also is surprising to see Coop commit without going through the summer camp. Is that a sign of just how much they regard his talent and future?

I just learned the the Tides news QB commitment, Cooper Bateman, received an invitation to the Elite 11 QB camp. To me the Elite 11s are the Who's Who of high school Field Generals.

It occured to me that A.J. is an Elite 11, as is Phillip Ely and our recently departed Phillip Sims. And now we are replacing Elite 11s with Elite 11s. A stable of Elite QBs ... at Alabama?!? When did this happen? This spurred me to do some research.

Current starter A.J. McCarron was Elite 11. A.J. replaced Greg McElroy who was not and Elite 11, however Greg did beat out Star Jackson who was an Elite 11. Greg replaced John Parker Wilson who was not an Elite 11, but John Parker beat out Elite 11 QB Jimmy Barnes for the starting role. John Parker replaced Brody Croyle who was an Elite 11 QB signing in 2002. Brody replaced Andrew Zow who was not an Elite 11.

This means that the last time that the Crimson Tide did not have the option of having and Elite 11/Who's Who of high school QBs under center was 2001. The Wikipedia summary for that season of Crimson Tide football reads as follows:

The 2001 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. They began their season trying to improve upon a 3–8 (3–5) record during the 2000 season. This was the team's 69th season in the SEC. This marked Dennis Franchiones first season as head coach of the Crimson Tide following the dismissal of Mike DuBose. The team finished with a victory in the 2001 Independence Bowl and an overall record of 7–5.

My, how things have changed. Roll Tide!

:wink-new:

 

[TerryP]

:wink-new:

Missed that...don't know how.

 

[Bo]

:redbiggrin:

 

[LBS]

It occurs to me that we have had a nice stretch of QBs making NFL squads. McElroy (Jets), Parker-Wilson (Falcons), Croyle (Chiefs).

Question: Before Brody who was the last Alabama QB to have made an NFL squad? Or better yet, before Brody how many years back would we have to count to rack up three QBs in the NFL?

Question: Noting that A.J. stands a good chance of making it four in a row, when was the last time that we had four in a row?

 

[TerryP]

It occurs to me that we have had a nice stretch of QBs making NFL squads. McElroy (Jets), Parker-Wilson (Falcons), Croyle (Chiefs).

Question: Before Brody who was the last Alabama QB to have made an NFL squad? Or better yet, before Brody how many years back would we have to count to rack up three QBs in the NFL?

Question: Noting that A.J. stands a good chance of making it four in a row, when was the last time that we had four in a row?

Three QB's in the NFL is probably dating back to the Rutledge, Todd, Namath, and Stabler years. I'm not your NFL historian, but I do believe all of those guys were active at the same time. If I'm right, that answers your last question as well.

In a broader answer, when we were running a pro-style offense before we switched to the 'bone.

QB's to make an NFL squad...off the top of my head from, again, your non-historian.

Walter Lewis signed with the USFL, but later had a spot on the Patriots roster. Shula was picked up by the Bucs but didnt' last longer than one season. Scott Hunter was around for awhile it seems.

---

We are in a period never before seen in our history in terms of the NFL and active players. There's a thread a few weeks old here touching on the number of picks we've had the last few years. If I recall correctly, Saban will likely tie, or pass, Coach Bryant with our next draft.

Here's a trivia question, of sorts, for you LBS. If we were to count the number of players active right now, which position holds the most? IE: DB's, LB's, RB's, etc.

 

[LBS]

Here's a trivia question, of sorts, for you LBS. If we were to count the number of players active right now, which position holds the most? IE: DB's, LB's, RB's, etc.

Off the top of my head without the benefit of coffee...I's guys LBs. Patriots, Ravens, Raiders, Texasan (although I think Ryans is looking for a home now).

For running a three man front, we are not doing too bad either; Ravens and Bills

Our RB count is hampered by that whole "got to be an All-American, Heisman finalist " trend. We are sitting at two; Saints and Browns.

The Saban passing Coach Bryant matter is amazing if true. Its hard to think of Coach Bruant getting passes by anything here are Bama...that is not preceded by a dollar sign.

 

[planomateo]

linebacker U

 

[TerryP]

A tally a few weeks ago—if I recall my numbers correctly—had eight LB's, eight defensive backs, and five defensive linemen.

 

[TerryP]

Off the top of my head without the benefit of coffee...I's guys LBs. Patriots, Ravens, Raiders, Texasan (although I think Ryans is looking for a home now).

For running a three man front, we are not doing too bad either; Ravens and Bills

Our RB count is hampered by that whole "got to be an All-American, Heisman finalist " trend. We are sitting at two; Saints and Browns.

The Saban passing Coach Bryant matter is amazing if true. Its hard to think of Coach Bruant getting passes by anything here are Bama...that is not preceded by a dollar sign.

To put it further into perspective, what Nick Saban has done in the last four years with 11 first-round picks equaled the program’s output of the previous six coaches and 22 years combined. He already has the second most first-round selections in Alabama history, trailing just Paul W. “Bear” Bryant at 13 (Joe Namath was a first-round selection in both the NFL and AFL) -- although it should be noted that after years of growth the NFL currently has more first-round picks than ever.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

It occurs to me that we have had a nice stretch of QBs making NFL squads. McElroy (Jets), Parker-Wilson (Falcons), Croyle (Chiefs).

Question: Before Brody who was the last Alabama QB to have made an NFL squad? Or better yet, before Brody how many years back would we have to count to rack up three QBs in the NFL?

Question: Noting that A.J. stands a good chance of making it four in a row, when was the last time that we had four in a row?

Will Greg catch on with anyone this year? I've got to think Tebow crowds him out of NY.

 

[Bo]

Heard on the radio the other day that Greg would still be with the Jets this season as the #3 guy.

 

[bamaraider]

Little bit off topic, but have any of you heard Greg on a radio show or on ESPN? That man could replace anyone on Gameday if he wanted too, great speaker.

 

[TerryP]

Little bit off topic, but have any of you heard Greg on a radio show or on ESPN? That man could replace anyone on Gameday if he wanted too, great speaker.

He's been articulate since he was in high school. Before he graduated college I talked with him a few times and actually introduced him to some acquaintances in the ATL area in the banking industry.

With his education, and family background, a spot on Gameday is actually beneath his talent level. I suspect we'll see him in the financial arena. Whether it be football related or not, the kid has a very good future ahead of him.

 

[Bo]

I've also heard Greg mention he was interested in politics. Not saying he'll get involved in them, just that they interested him.

 

[planomateo]

politics... well that pretty much demotes him in my book

 

[TerryP]

politics... well that pretty much demotes him in my book

Ya know, so often you'll find politicians treat life like a narrative. They spend all their time trying to define everyone else without taking the time to define themselves.

I don't see that with Greg.