14 years of ‘NFL Top 100’ feature 48 Alabama-roots players
Thirteen of “The Top 100 NFL Players of 2024” are alumni of Alabama high schools and colleges, including 10 who played for the Crimson Tide before reaching the pros.
NFL Network has conducted its poll of players to select “The Top 100” annually for 14 years, and this year’s poll features the second No. 1 with Alabama football roots. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a West Alabama alumnus, topped the 2024 rankings. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, an Auburn alumnus, was the No. 1 player in the 2016 rankings.
The other players who have been the highest ranked annually among those with Alabama football roots have been DeMarcus Ware at No. 12 in 2011, No. 6 in 2012 and No. 12 in 2013, Robert Mathis at No. 19 in 2014, Julio Jones at No. 13 in 2015, No. 3 in 2017, No. 4 in 2018 and No. 9 in 2019, Derrick Henry at No. 10 in 2020, No. 4 in 2021 and No. 12 in 2022 and Jalen Hurts at No. 3 in 2023.
Hill also joined Newton, Jones and quarterback Philip Rivers as players from Alabama high schools and colleges who have appeared in “The Top 100 NFL Players” eight times.
This year’s total of 13 players is the second highest with Alabama football roots in the poll’s history. Last year, 15 players from Alabama high schools and colleges were ranked.
Eleven players with Alabama football roots appeared in the 2017 “Top 100,” 10 appeared in 2019 and 2021, nine in 2020, eight in 2015 and 2018, seven in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2022, six in 2013 and four in 2016.
The “Top 100” debuts of New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams and Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Hines-Allen this year brought to 48 the number of players with Alabama football roots who have appeared in the 14 years of the selections.
The players with Alabama football roots who have appeared in the 14 “Top 100” rankings include:
Tyreek Hill: Eight appearances
The former West Alabama standout ranked 36th in 2017, 40th in 2018, 19th in 2019, 22nd in 2020, 15th in 2021 and 15th in 2022 as a Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and seventh in 2023 and first in 2024 as a Miami Dolphins wide receiver. Hill has appeared in the “Top 100” after every season of his NFL career.
Julio Jones: Eight appearances
The former Foley High School and Alabama standout ranked 26th in 2013, 13th in 2015, eighth in 2016, third in 2017, fourth in 2018, ninth in 2019, 11th in 2020 and 29th in 2021 as an Atlanta Falcons wide receiver.
Cam Newton: Eight appearances
The former Auburn standout ranked 40th in 2012, 46th in 2013, 24th in 2014, 73rd in 2015, first in 2016, 44th in 2017, 25th in 2018 and 87th in 2019 as the Carolina Panthers quarterback.
Philip Rivers: Eight appearances
The former Athens High School standout ranked 26th in 2011, 61st in 2012, 34th in 2014, 43rd in 2015, 46th in 2016, 74th in 2017, 56th in 2018 and 17th in 2019 as the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback.
Derrick Henry: Six appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 99th in 2019, 10th in 2020, fourth in 2021, 12th in 2022, 25th in 2023 and 49th in 2024 as a Tennessee Titans running back. Henry is playing for the Baltimore Ravens this season.
DeMarcus Ware: Six appearances
The former Auburn High School and Troy standout ranked 12th in 2011, sixth in 2012, 12th in 2013, 56th in 2014, 87th in 2015 and 36th in 2016. The outside linebacker made the first four appearances after playing with the Dallas Cowboys and the final two after playing with the Denver Broncos. Ware retired after the 2016 season. He appeared in the poll in every year he was eligible.
Amari Cooper: Four appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 53rd in 2017 as an Oakland Raiders wide receiver, 64th in 2019 and 49th in 2020 as a Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and 70th in 2024 as a Cleveland Browns wide receiver.
Minkah Fitzpatrick: Four appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 35th in 2020, 52nd in 2021, 18th in 2023 and 79th in 2024 as a Pittsburgh Steelers safety.
C.J. Mosley: Four appearances
The former Theodore High School and Alabama standout ranked 94th in 2015, 98th in 2018 and 71st in 2019 as a Baltimore Ravens linebacker and 46th in 2023.
Jonathan Allen: Three appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 88th in 2022, 52nd in 2023 and 54th in 2024 as a Washington Commanders defensive tackle.
Marlon Humphrey: Three appearances
The former Hoover High School and Alabama standout ranked 86th in 2020, 38th in 2021 and 92nd in 2023 as a Baltimore Ravens cornerback.
Mark Ingram: Three appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 43rd in 2018 and 80th in 2019 as a New Orleans Saints running back and 44th in 2020 as a Baltimore Ravens running back.
Josh Jacobs: Three appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 72nd in 2020, 68th in 2021 and 12th in 2023 as Las Vegas Raiders running back.
Robert Mathis: Three appearances
The former Alabama A&M standout ranked 44th in 2011, 74th in 2013 and 19th in 2014 as an Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker.
Za’Darius Smith: Three appearances
The former Greenville High School standout ranked 48th in 2020 and 51st in 2021 as a Green Bay Packers outside linebacker and 84th in 2023 as a Minnesota Vikings linebacker.
Jaylen Waddle: Three appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 63rd in 2022, 44th in 2023 and 63rd in 2024 as a Miami Dolphins wide receiver. Waddle has made the poll after every season of his career.
Roddy White: Three appearances
The former UAB standout ranked 24th in 2011, 65th in 2012 and 39th in 2013 as an Atlanta Falcons wide receiver.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 77th in 2017 and 100th in 2018 as a Green Bay Packers safety.
Landon Collins: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 28th in 2017 and 92nd in 2018 as a New York Giants safety.
Marcell Dareus: Two appearances
The former Huffman High School and Alabama standout ranked 62nd in 2014 and 53rd in 2015 as a Buffalo Bills defensive tackle.
Trevon Diggs: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 23rd in 2022 and 60th in 2023 as a Dallas Cowboys cornerback.
Jalen Hurts: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked third in 2023 and 15th in 2024 as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
Eddie Lacy: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 90th in 2014 and 60th in 2015 as a Green Bay Packers running back
DeVonta Smith: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 100th in 2023 and 90th in 2024 as a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver.
Patrick Surtain II: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 49th in 2023 and 52nd in 2024 as a Denver Broncos cornerback.
Tua Tagovailoa: Two appearances
The former Alabama standout ranked 82nd in 2023 and 36th in 2024 as the Miami Dolphins quarterback.
Justin Tuck: Two appearances
The former Central High School (Rockford) standout ranked 60th in 2011 and 62nd in 2012 as a New York Giants defensive end.
Quinnen Williams: Two appearances
The former Wenonah High School and Alabama standout ranked 40th in 2023 and 37th in 2024 as a New York Jets defensive tackle.
James Bradberry: One appearance
The former Pleasant Grove High School and Samford standout ranked 74th in 2021 as a New York Giants cornerback.
Malcolm Butler: One appearance
The former West Alabama standout ranked 99th in 2017 as a New England Patriots cornerback.
Cortland Finnegan: One appearance
The former Samford standout ranked 93rd in 2012 as a Tennessee Titans cornerback.
Dee Ford: One appearance
The former St. Clair County High School and Auburn standout ranked 67th in 2019 as a Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker.
Dont’a Hightower: One appearance
The former Alabama standout ranked 94th in 2017 as a New England Patriots linebacker.
Josh Hines-Allen: One appearance
The former Abbeville High School standout ranked 35th in 2024 as a Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker.
Eddie Jackson: One appearance
The former Alabama standout ranked 30th in 2019 as a Chicago Bears safety.
Janoris Jenkins: One appearance
The former North Alabama standout ranked 54th in 2017 as a New York Giants cornerback.
Mac Jones: One appearance
The Alabama standout ranked 85th in 2022 as the New England Patriots quarterback.
Ryan Kelly: One appearance
The former Alabama standout ranked 69th in 2021 as an Indianapolis Colts center.
Sen’Derrick Marks: One appearance
The former Vigor High School and Auburn standout ranked 76th in 2015 as a Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle.
Evan Mathis: One appearance
The former Homewood High School and Alabama standout ranked 88th in 2014 as a Philadelphia Eagles guard.
Terrell Owens: One appearance
The former Benjamin Russell High School standout ranked 91st in 2011 as a Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver. Owens was eligible only for the 2011 rankings in his career because he retired before the 2011 season.
Jay Ratliff: One appearance
The former Auburn standout ranked 75th in 2011 as a Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle.
Trent Richardson: One appearance
The former Alabama standout ranked 71st in 2013 as a Cleveland Browns running back.
Calvin Ridley: One appearance
The former Alabama standout ranked 65th in 2021 as an Atlanta Falcons wide receiver.
Carlos Rogers: One appearance
The former Auburn standout ranked 69th in 2012 as a San Francisco 49ers cornerback.
Jimmie Ward: One appearance
The former Davidson High School standout ranked 96th in 2022 as a San Francisco 49ers safety.
Quincy Williams: One appearance
The former Wenonah High School standout ranked 32nd in 2024 as a New York Jets linebacker.
Jameis Winston: One appearance
The former Hueytown High School standout ranked 57th in 2017 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.