ESPN Picks Only Two Alabama Players Among the Best Football Players By Jersey Number

College football’s offseason always brings a wave of rankings. Fans debate everything from uniforms and stadiums to mascots and legendary teams. This time, ESPN introduced a different challenge by selecting the greatest player in college football history for each jersey number.

Instead of ranking programs or individual careers, the network matched one elite player to every number from 0 through 99.

Despite Alabama’s long history of producing championship teams and Hall of Fame talent, only two Crimson Tide legends claimed the top spot for their jersey numbers. Derrick Thomas and John Hannah stood above every other player to wear No. 55 and No. 73, while several other Alabama greats received honorable mention.

Derrick Thomas Named the Greatest No. 55

Instagram | @chiefskingdomcp | Derrick Thomas earned ESPN’s top honor as the greatest college football player to wear No. 55 after his outstanding career at Alabama.

Linebacker Derrick Thomas earned ESPN’s selection as the greatest player in college football history to wear the No. 55 jersey. His remarkable career at Alabama remains one of the finest defensive performances the sport has ever seen.

Thomas captured the 1988 Butkus Award, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and became a unanimous All-American. Although the NCAA did not officially track sacks until 2000, Alabama credits Thomas with an astonishing 27 sacks during the 1988 season.

ESPN’s Dave Wilson explained why Thomas separated himself from every other No. 55:

“The NCAA didn’t recognize sacks until 2000, but Alabama credits Thomas with 27 in 1988. Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs holds the official NCAA record with 24 in 2002. Thomas’ 1988 season may never be duplicated, with 38 tackles for loss in addition to those 27 sacks, including five in one game against Texas A&M. He is Alabama’s career leader with 52 sacks and 68 tackles for loss, and was the fourth overall pick of the 1989 NFL draft. He died after a car accident in 2000, and was inducted into the College Football Hall in 2014.”

Wilson ranked Thomas ahead of several legendary defenders, including Junior Seau from USC. By the end of his Alabama career, Thomas had recorded 52 sacks, which stood as the NCAA Division I career record at the time. Arizona linebacker Tedy Bruschi later matched that total in 1995 while leading the Wildcats’ famous “Desert Swarm” defense under head coach Dick Tomey.

Thomas played under Ray Perkins and Bill Curry, helping Alabama post a 35-5-1 record during his four seasons before becoming the fourth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. His professional career also earned widespread recognition before his tragic death in 2000 following an automobile accident.

John Hannah Stands Alone at No. 73

Offensive guard John Hannah became Alabama’s second player to receive the top honor. ESPN selected him as the greatest player ever to wear the No. 73 jersey.

Hannah played under legendary coach Bear Bryant from 1970 through 1972. During those three seasons, Alabama finished with a 27-8-1 record and won two conference championships. His dominance on the offensive line earned him a place on Alabama’s All-Century Team and the SEC All-50-Year Team covering the years from 1933 to 1982.

ESPN’s Heather Dinich highlighted Bryant’s admiration for Hannah:

“Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant said Hannah was ‘the finest offensive lineman I’ve ever been around,’ according to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. During Hannah’s three seasons, the Tide was 27-8-1 and won two conference championships. The 6-foot-2, 265-pound offensive guard was named to Alabama’s all-century team and the SEC’s all-50-year team (1933-1982). He was also named the 1972 Lineman of the Year by the Birmingham Quarterback Club, Atlanta Touchdown Club and Miami Touchdown Club.”

Hannah later built an outstanding NFL career with the New England Patriots, playing 13 seasons and earning nine Pro Bowl selections. He is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Instagram | @sportsreportbama | John Hannah built one of college football’s greatest careers, as a result ESPN named him the best player to wear No. 73.

Alabama Stars Who Received Honorable Mentions

Although only two Alabama players topped ESPN’s rankings, many Crimson Tide legends still appeared as honorable mentions across several jersey numbers.

Derrick Henry (No. 2) was recognized after his historic 2015 season, recording 2,219 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns, and leading Alabama to a national championship while winning the Heisman Trophy. Deion Sanders earned ESPN’s top honor for No. 2.

DeVonta Smith (No. 6) was honored for his remarkable 2020 campaign with 117 catches, 1,856 yards, and 23 touchdowns, while Baker Mayfield claimed the top spot for that number. Bryce Young (No. 9) also received recognition after throwing for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns during his 2021 Heisman-winning season. ESPN selected Joe Burrow as the greatest No. 9. Mark Ingram (No. 22), Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner, also made the honorable mention list, with Doug Flutie earning the top ranking.

Other Alabama players recognized by ESPN included Julio Jones (No. 8), Tua Tagovailoa (No. 13), Landon Collins (No. 26), Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 29), Will Anderson (No. 31), Shaun Alexander (No. 37), Harry Gilmer (No. 52), Lee Roy Jordan (No. 54), Dwight Stephenson (No. 57), Sylvester Croom (No. 59), Quinnen Williams (No. 92), Jonathan Allen (No. 93), and Cornelius Bennett (No. 97).

ESPN recognized Derrick Thomas and John Hannah as the greatest players to wear their respective jersey numbers. Alongside them, several Alabama legends earned honorable mentions, reflecting the program’s long history of producing standout talent and award-winning performers.