It's Sunday afternoon. You flip on any NFL game, and within three plays, you’ve probably seen a former Alabama player make a tackle, catch a touchdown, or stare down a quarterback. It’s almost unavoidable at this point. Honestly, the joke used to be that Alabama was basically a "33rd NFL team," but looking at the rosters in early 2026, it’s not really a joke anymore. It’s just reality.
As of the 2025-26 season kickoff, Alabama led the entire country with over 60 players on active NFL rosters. That’s insane. If you count practice squads and reserve lists, that number pushed toward 70. We aren’t just talking about "guys on a roster" either. We’re talking about the backbone of the league. From Jalen Hurts leading the Eagles into another deep playoff run to Will Anderson Jr. morphing into a terrifying force for the Houston Texans, the Crimson Tide footprint is everywhere.
But why does this keep happening? Most people think it was just a "Nick Saban thing," a byproduct of a legendary coach who recruited like a machine. But even as the Kalen DeBoer era takes hold in Tuscaloosa, the pipeline hasn't clogged. The NFL loves Alabama players because they come into the league "pro-ready." They’ve spent three or four years in a facility that’s nicer than most NFL setups, being coached by guys who have been in the league, and playing against other future first-rounders every single Tuesday in practice.
The Current Heavy Hitters: Alabama Players in the NFL Right Now
If you’re looking for where the power lies, you have to start with the quarterbacks and the "big skill" guys. It’s weird to think back to a time when Alabama didn't produce NFL quarterbacks. Now? You can’t tell the story of the league without them.
Jalen Hurts has basically become the face of the Philadelphia Eagles. In the 2025 season, he put up solid numbers—3,224 passing yards and 25 touchdowns—but it’s his legs that still break defenses. He tucked the ball for 8 rushing touchdowns this past year. Then you’ve got Tua Tagovailoa down in Miami. Despite all the talk about his health over the years, he remains one of the most accurate distributors in the game. When he’s on, that Dolphins offense is a track meet.
And we have to talk about Derrick Henry. The man is 31 years old and still running through people like they’re made of cardboard. In 2025, he put up another 1,500-yard season for the Ravens with 16 rushing touchdowns. Most running backs are retired or "washed" by 30. Henry? He’s just different. He’s a freak of nature who treats his body like a high-performance vehicle.
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Defending the League
On the other side of the ball, the "Bama standard" is arguably even higher. The Denver Broncos have Patrick Surtain II, who is widely considered the best shutdown corner in football. He doesn't get many interceptions because nobody is brave (or stupid) enough to throw his way. He earned another All-Pro nod for the 2025 season.
Then there’s the youth movement. Will Anderson Jr. in Houston.
He’s a problem.
54 tackles, 12 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in 2025. He’s already the heart of that Texans defense, and he’s only getting better.
Where They Are: Teams with the Most Bama Players
If you’re a Tide fan and want to root for a "pro version" of your team, you basically look at the Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve turned into Alabama North.
At the start of the 2026 playoffs, the Eagles had seven former Alabama players on the roster. You’ve got the obvious stars like Hurts and DeVonta Smith, but then you have the guys in the trenches like Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen. It’s a smart strategy—buy into the chemistry that already exists.
The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks aren't far behind. Seattle, specifically, has been leaning into Tide talent lately, with guys like Jarran Reed and the newly drafted Jalen Milroe (who is sitting and learning, but the hype is real).
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The 2025 All-Pro Crimson Wave
The Associated Press recently released the 2025 All-Pro teams, and Alabama’s presence was felt as usual. Four players made the cut:
- Will Anderson Jr. (First Team): Edge rusher for the Texans.
- Will Reichard (First Team): The "Will-er" kickers! Reichard was nearly perfect for the Vikings, hitting 94.3% of his field goals.
- Patrick Surtain II (Second Team): Shutdown corner for Denver.
- Xavier McKinney (Second Team): The ball-hawk safety for the Packers who recorded over 100 tackles.
It’s interesting to see a kicker like Will Reichard on this list. For years, Alabama was mocked for its kicking woes. Now, they have the best kicker in the NFL. That’s a bit of irony for you.
The Rookies Making Noise
Not every Alabama player is a superstar on day one, but some of them find their way quickly. Take Malachi Moore for example. He was a 4th-round pick for the New York Jets in 2025. Most people overlooked him because he wasn't a "flashy" first-rounder.
Well, injuries hit the Jets' secondary hard in Week 3, and Moore got thrown into the fire against Tampa Bay. He never looked back. By the end of the season, he was playing safety, slot corner, and special teams. He ended up being one of the few bright spots in a rough 3-14 season for the Jets.
Then you have JC Latham in Tennessee. He’s a mountain of a man who moved over to tackle and has been a massive part of why their run game stayed alive. These guys aren't just filling spots; they’re winning jobs.
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Common Misconceptions About Alabama Players in the NFL
There’s this weird narrative that Alabama players "peak too early" or that they’re "worn out" by the time they hit the NFL because Saban worked them too hard. Honestly, that’s mostly garbage.
If they were worn out, Derrick Henry wouldn't be lead-blocking with his face at 31. If they peaked in college, Minkah Fitzpatrick wouldn't be a perennial Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh. The reality is that Alabama players are just more scrutinized. Because there are so many of them, the few that "bust" get more attention than the dozens of others who have 8-year careers as solid starters.
Another misconception? That they only succeed because of the system. Tell that to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. He’s a human highlight reel who creates plays out of nothing. It doesn't matter what system you put him in; speed and vision like that translate anywhere.
How to Follow the Crimson Tide in the Pros
If you’re trying to keep track of all these guys, it’s a full-time job. But there are a few ways to stay ahead of it:
- Check the Wednesday Injury Reports: Alabama players are tough, but they play physical. Tracking these reports often tells you who is carrying the load for their respective NFL teams.
- Follow the "Bama in the NFL" Social Accounts: Several fan-run and official university accounts track every single stat for every single alum every Sunday. It’s the easiest way to see that Brian Robinson Jr. just broke a 40-yard run or Quinnen Williams just ate a double-team.
- Watch the Primetime Games: Networks love the "star power," and usually, that means the Eagles, Dolphins, or Lions. You are guaranteed to see at least three Bama starters in those matchups.
The influence of Alabama on the NFL isn't just a trend; it's the new standard for how talent is funneled into the professional ranks. Whether it's the established vets like C.J. Mosley or the new crop of rookies, the "A" on the helmet during college is usually a pretty good indicator of success on Sundays.
To truly understand the impact, keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft. Even with a coaching change, scouts are still swarming Tuscaloosa. The pipeline is open, the talent is flowing, and the league is better for it. Stay updated on weekly box scores to see which former Tide players are moving the needle for your fantasy team or your favorite franchise.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the 2026 Playoffs: Monitor the Eagles and Seahawks rosters specifically, as they hold the highest density of Alabama talent heading into the postseason.
- Update Your Fantasy Watchlist: Keep a close eye on Malachi Moore and Jalen Milroe for the 2026 season; their roles are expected to expand significantly.
- Review All-Pro Film: Study Will Anderson Jr.'s 2025 tape to see how he utilizes the "pro-ready" hand techniques learned in Tuscaloosa to beat veteran NFL tackles.