The list:
BOL's rankings:
1.] Mark Barron (2008-2011)
Previous ranking: 1
Why he's here: The versatile Barron handled conventional safety duties in the base defense in addition to serving as the dime back when UA put six defensive backs on the field. Physical enough to drop into the box and play the run and athletic enough to man a variety of roles against the pass, Barron ranks among the top five defensive talents to suit up for Alabama in the Saban era.
Claim to fame: Three-time first-team All-SEC and two-time first-team All-America selection. Picked off 12 passes while making 39 career starts.
Memorable moment:
VIDEO: Barron flattens Jordan Rodgers
Next level: Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (No. 7 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. Started 30 games in his first two seasons in the league, posting 176 total tackles, 16 passes defended and three interceptions.
2.] Rashad Johnson (2005-2008)
Previous ranking: 2
Why he's here: As talented as Barron is, a strong case could be made for Johnson, a former walk-on, at the top of this list. Recorded 183 tackles and 11 interceptions in two seasons (2007-2008) as a starter. And that's before you factor in Johnson's ability to quarterback the defense, something he did as well as any UA safety under Saban to date.
Claim to fame: Two-time first-team All-SEC selection who led UA in interceptions in 2007 and 2008. Two-time permanent team captain.
Memorable moment: VIDEO: Johnson's second pick of the game helps sink LSU in 2008
Next level: Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. In five seasons with the Cardinals, Johnson has recorded 191 total tackles, 15 passes defended and six interceptions.
3.] HaHa Clinton-Dix (2009-2012)
Previous ranking: 4
Why he's here: Best combination of range and ball skills of any safety Saban has had at Alabama. In a group featuring a strong mix of strong safety types, Clinton-Dix stands out as the top option at free. Highly decorated as a junior but was at his best as a sophomore in 2012, when he recorded five of his seven career interceptions.
Claim to fame: Consensus first-team All-America selection who also garnered first-team All-SEC (coaches) honors in 2013.
Memorable moment: VIDEO: Clinton-Dix vs. Notre Dame
Next level: Projects as a first-round selection for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Next three: Landon Collins (2012-present) (PR: Not ranked); Robert Lester (2009-2012) (PR: 3); Vinnie Sunseri (2011-2013) (PR: NR); Justin Woodall (2006-2009) (PR: 6).
- Mark Barron,
- Rashad Johnson,
- Robert Lester,
- Justin Woodall,
- HaHa Clinton-Dix,
- Vinnie Sunseri
- Landon Collins
BOL's rankings:
1.] Mark Barron (2008-2011)
Previous ranking: 1
Why he's here: The versatile Barron handled conventional safety duties in the base defense in addition to serving as the dime back when UA put six defensive backs on the field. Physical enough to drop into the box and play the run and athletic enough to man a variety of roles against the pass, Barron ranks among the top five defensive talents to suit up for Alabama in the Saban era.
Claim to fame: Three-time first-team All-SEC and two-time first-team All-America selection. Picked off 12 passes while making 39 career starts.
Memorable moment:
VIDEO: Barron flattens Jordan Rodgers
Next level: Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round (No. 7 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. Started 30 games in his first two seasons in the league, posting 176 total tackles, 16 passes defended and three interceptions.
2.] Rashad Johnson (2005-2008)
Previous ranking: 2
Why he's here: As talented as Barron is, a strong case could be made for Johnson, a former walk-on, at the top of this list. Recorded 183 tackles and 11 interceptions in two seasons (2007-2008) as a starter. And that's before you factor in Johnson's ability to quarterback the defense, something he did as well as any UA safety under Saban to date.
Claim to fame: Two-time first-team All-SEC selection who led UA in interceptions in 2007 and 2008. Two-time permanent team captain.
Memorable moment: VIDEO: Johnson's second pick of the game helps sink LSU in 2008
Next level: Selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. In five seasons with the Cardinals, Johnson has recorded 191 total tackles, 15 passes defended and six interceptions.
3.] HaHa Clinton-Dix (2009-2012)
Previous ranking: 4
Why he's here: Best combination of range and ball skills of any safety Saban has had at Alabama. In a group featuring a strong mix of strong safety types, Clinton-Dix stands out as the top option at free. Highly decorated as a junior but was at his best as a sophomore in 2012, when he recorded five of his seven career interceptions.
Claim to fame: Consensus first-team All-America selection who also garnered first-team All-SEC (coaches) honors in 2013.
Memorable moment: VIDEO: Clinton-Dix vs. Notre Dame
Next level: Projects as a first-round selection for the 2014 NFL Draft.
Next three: Landon Collins (2012-present) (PR: Not ranked); Robert Lester (2009-2012) (PR: 3); Vinnie Sunseri (2011-2013) (PR: NR); Justin Woodall (2006-2009) (PR: 6).
