This was much more difficult than we thought it would be when we first started.

That’s the major takeaway from trying to pick an “All-Saban team” of Alabama football, covering the years 2007-2023. Saban coached dozens of All-Americans, national award winners and future NFL stars during his 17-year tenure in Tuscaloosa, and picking the best of the best wasn’t easy.

But we’ve tried to do just that, selecting a first- and second-team offense, defense and specialists, plus honorable mentions. We’ve also chosen an “All-Saban” coaching staff, which you can read about at the end of this list.

We tried to give nearly all of the weight in our selections to how a player performed in college, though perhaps future NFL success was used as a tiebreaker. Major national and conference award-winners (such as Heisman Trophy or SEC player of the year), first-team All-Americans and multi-time All-SEC performers were given preference if a choice was particularly difficult.

It’s worth noting that there was a good bit of fluidity as to which position a given player played during his career (particularly on the offensive line), but we tried to stick with one position for each player. The exception is special teams, where a couple of players who excelled on offense or defense also showed up in the kicking game accolades.

With those caveats out of the way, here’s AL.com’s picks for the All-Saban team (years played for Saban at Alabama — excluding redshirt seasons — in parentheses):

OFFENSE

Quarterback

First team: Bryce Young (2020-22)

Second team: Tua Tagovailoa (2017-19)

Honorable mention: AJ McCarron (2010-13), Jalen Hurts (2016-18), Mac Jones (2017-20)

You know it’s a loaded position when multiple national championship-winning quarterbacks don’t even get a mention. Tagovailoa was the first superstar quarterback under Saban, but Young took the position to new heights. His Heisman-winning season of 2021 is one the greatest week-to-week individual performances in SEC history.

Running backs

First team: Mark Ingram (2008-10) and Derrick Henry (2013-15)

Second team: Trent Richardson (2009-11) and Najee Harris (2017-20)

Honorable mention: Eddie Lacy (2009-12), T.J. Yeldon (2012-14), Damien Harris (2015-18), Josh Jacobs (2016-18), Brian Robinson (2017-21)

Henry, who won a Heisman and accomplished more in three years than many before and after him did in four, is a no-brainer for one spot. The other is a bit dicier, because many observers would argue that Richardson and even Harris were more dominant than Ingram. Being Alabama’s first Heisman winner pushes Ingram over the top here, however.

Wide receivers

First team: Amari Cooper (2012-14) and DeVonta Smith (2017-20)

Second team: Julio Jones (2008-10) and Calvin Ridley (2015-17)

Honorable mention: Kevin Norwood (2010-13), ArDarius Stewart (2014-16), Jerry Jeudy (2017-19), Henry Ruggs (2017-19), Jaylen Waddle (2018-20), John Metchie (2019-21), Jameson Williams (2021)

Smith was a four-year contributor and won the Heisman as a senior, so he’s a slam dunk for one spot. Cooper gets the edge over Jones for winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year, though he certainly played with better QBs than did the legendary Julio. Another loaded position with which you couldn’t go wrong with any of six or seven players.

Tight end

First team: O.J. Howard (2013-16)

Second team: Irv Smith Jr. (2016-18)

Honorable mention: Brad Smelley (2008-11), Colin Peek (2009), Michael Williams (2009-12), Jahleel Billingsley (2019-21)

A little thinner than most positions in the Saban era, but Howard gets the nod for his four-year contributions in the passing game and his big moments in big games (including two straight national championship games vs. Clemson). Smith’s 2018 season is arguably the best by an Alabama tight end since Lamonde Russell in the 1980s, however.

Offensive tackle

First team: Andre Smith (2007-08) and Cam Robinson (2014-16)

Second team: D.J. Fluker (2010-12) and Jonah Williams (2016-18)

Honorable mention: James Carpenter (2009-10), Cyrus Kouandjio (2011-13), Jedrick Wills (2017-19), Alex Leatherwood (2017-20), Evan Neal (2019-21), J.C. Latham (2021-23)

Originally, we broke this list down by left and right tackle, but eventually figured it was unfair to do it that way given that the top three and four of the top six on the list all played on the left side. Smith was the best player Saban inherited at Alabama, and 15 years later still deserves to be at the top of the list after winning the Outland and Jacobs Blocking trophies and being named unanimous All-American as a junior in 2008. Like Smith, Robinson was a starter from Day 1 and won the same three awards as a junior in 2016. Williams is as good a third option as you might find at any school.

Offensive guard

First team: Barrett Jones (2009-12) and Chance Warmack (2009-12)

Second team: Mike Johnson (2007-09) and Arie Kouandjio (2011-14)

Honorable mention: Anthony Steen (2010-13), Ross Pierschbacher (2015-18), Emil Ekiyor (2018-22), Tyler Booker (2022-23)

Guard has been a somewhat thin position during the Saban era (especially in later years), though several big-name players “stopped by” the position before moving to tackle or center by the end of their careers. Jones started a national championship game at three different positions — left tackle, right guard and center, something that might never be duplicated. Among other awards, he won the Outland Trophy, the Rimington Trophy and the Campbell Trophy, the academic equivalent of the Heisman. Warmack was a unanimous All-American as a senior and like Jones won three national championship rings.

Center

First team: Landon Dickerson (2019-20)

Second team: Ryan Kelly (2012-15)

Honorable mention: Bradley Bozeman (2015-18), Antoine Caldwell (2007-08), William Vlachos (2008-11)

Arguably the greatest transfer acquisition in Alabama history, Dickerson became the heart and soul of the 2020 national championship team. He was great on the field as well, winning the Rimington and Jacobs trophies and earning unanimous All-America honors. Kelly was a three-year starter who achieved many of the same accolades.

DEFENSE

Interior linemen

First team: Terrence Cody (2008-09), Jonathan Allen (2013-16), Quinnen Williams (2017-18)

Second team: Jesse Williams (2011-12), A’Shawn Robinson (2013-15), Da’Ron Payne (2015-17)

Honorable mention: Josh Chapman (2007-11), Marcell Dareus (2008-11), Jarran Reed (2014-15), Raekwon Davis (2016-19), Christian Barmore (2018-20), Justin Eboigbe (2019-23)

Cody was the first superstar of the Saban era, a dominant force against the run during an era where teams still tried to beat opposing defenses between the tackles. Williams had the best individual season of an Alabama defensive lineman maybe ever, winning the Outland Trophy and earning picking up unanimous All-America honors. Allen is probably the best all-around defensive lineman of the Saban era, a three-time first-team All-SEC pick who was SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2016.

Outside linebackers

First team: C.J. Mosley (2010-13) and Will Anderson (2020-22)

Second team: Courtney Upshaw (2008-11) and Dallas Turner (2021-23)

Honorable mention: Eryk Anders (2007-09), Tim Williams (2013-15), Ryan Anderson (2013-16), Anfernee Jennings (2015-19)

Anderson is an easy pick for one spot, as he’s the greatest pass-rusher at Alabama since Derrick Thomas and in the conversation as the top overall defensive player of the Saban era. We cheated a little bit to get Mosley on the first team, as he played mostly inside linebacker during his four seasons. Putting him outside, however, is a nod to his pass-coverage skills, which were unsurpassed for a linebacker in the Saban era and maybe in the SEC in the last two decades.

Inside linebackers

First team: Rolando McClain (2007-09) and Dont’a Hightower (2008-11)

Second team: Reggie Ragland (2012-15) and Reuben Foster (2013-16)

Honorable mention: Nico Johnson (2009-12), Trey DePriest (2011-14), Dylan Moses (2017-20), Rashaan Evans (2014-17)

The run of dominant inside linebackers during the first decade of the Saban era is truly remarkable, but McClain and Hightower stand out above the rest. The mercurial McClain was SEC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American in 2019, and also won the Butkus Award and the Jack Lambert Award as the country’s top linebacker. Hightower started as a true freshman, then overcame a serious knee injury suffered in 2009 to become an All-American as a senior in 2011.

Cornerbacks

First team: Dee Milliner (2010-12) and Patrick Surtain (2018-20)

Second team: Kool-Aid McKinstry (2021-23) and Terrion Arnold (2022-23)

Honorable mention: Kareem Jackson (2007-09), Javier Arenas (2007-09), Dre Kirkpatrick (2009-11), Trevon Diggs (2016-19)

This is another position that has sent numerous players to the NFL who didn’t even make this list. The son of a former NFL star, Surtain lived up to his advance billing entirely by being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American in 2020. Milliner didn’t make an impact in the pros, but his 2012 unanimous All-America season was outstanding. We might be guarding against recency bias, because it’s possible McKinstry or Arnold — both first-team All-Americans this year — might steal a spot on the first team with a little more perspective.

Safeties

First team: Mark Barron (2008-11) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (2015-17)

Second team: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (2011-13) and Landon Collins (2012-14)

Honorable mention: Rashad Johnson (2007-08), Robert Lester (2009-12), Eddie Jackson (2013-16), Deionte Thompson (2016-18)

With Jonathan Allen, C.J. Mosley and Will Anderson, Fitzpatrick is on the short list of greatest individual defensive players of the Saban era. An impact player from Day 1, he was a two-time All-America pick and won the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik Awards in 2017. Barron was very nearly as good, a three-time All-SEC pick and a two-time All-American. Clinton-Dix and Collins in 2013 might be the best safety tandem in program history.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker

First team: Will Reichard (2019-23)

Second team: Leigh Tiffin (2007-09)

Honorable mention: Adam Griffith (2013-16), Jeremy Shelley (2009-12)

Reichard is a pretty easy choice for the top spot, the all-time leading scorer in college football history and owner of a perfect season on field goals and extra points in 2020. Tiffin became nearly automatic by career’s end, however, and kicked 30 field goals for a 2009 national championship team that sometimes struggled to get into the end zone.

Punter

First team: JK Scott (2014-17)

Second team: James Burnip (2021-23)

Honorable mention: P.J. Fitzgerald (2007-09), Cody Mandell (2010-13)

This might be the easiest choice on the board, as Scott is not only the greatest punter in Alabama history, but on the short list for tops in SEC history. Burnip put up the best Crimson Tide punting season since Scott in 2023, and still has one more year to add to his legacy.

Return specialist

First team: Javier Arenas (2007-09)

Second team: Christion Jones (2011-14)

Honorable mention: Eddie Jackson (2013-16), Jaylen Waddle (2018-20), Jameson Williams (2021)

This was an extremely tough call, as we went for volume over peak performance. Arenas returned seven punts for touchdowns in his career (though two came during the Mike Shula era). Still, he was SEC Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-team All-American as a returner in 2009. Jones was equally adept on kickoffs and punts, with five combined touchdowns. Jackson and Waddle both had injury-shortened final seasons at Alabama.

Special teams utility

First team: Reuben Foster (2013-16)

Second team: Carson Tinker (2009-12)

Honorable mention: Terrence Cody (2008-09), A’Shawn Robinson (2013-15), Minkah Fitzpatrick (2015-17), Quandarrius Robinson (2020-23)

This position encompasses snappers, kick-blockers and kick-coverage specialists, the latter at which Foster was particularly adept during his Alabama career. A heat-seeking missile on the kickoff team, his big hits on opposing returners have become legendary (though some would likely be called for targeting nowadays). Tinker gets a hat tip here for being the snapper on three national championship teams, and executing 133 of 135 snaps in his career.

COACHING STAFF

First team

Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach: Lane Kiffin (2014-16)

Running backs coach: Burton Burns (2007-17)

Offensive line coach: Jeff Stoutland (2011-12)

Wide receivers coach: Holmon Wiggins (2019-23)

Tight ends coach: Bobby Williams (2008-15)

Defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach: Kirby Smart (2007-15)

Defensive line coach: Bo Davis (2007-10, 2014-15)

Outside linebackers coach: Sal Sunseri (2009-11, 2019-21)

Inside linebackers coach: Jeremy Pruitt (2016-17)

Special teams coach: Jeff Banks (2018-20)

Strength & conditioning coach: Scott Cochran (2007-19)

Honorable mention

Offensive coordinator: Jim McElwain (2008-11), Brian Daboll (2017), Mike Locksley (2017-18), Steve Sarkisian (2019-20)

Running backs coach: Charles Huff (2019-20)

Wide receivers coach: Curt Cignetti (2007-10), Billy Napier (2013-16)

Offensive line coach: Mario Cristobal (2013-16), Brent Key (2016-18)

Defensive coordinator: Kevin Steele (2007, 2023), Jeremy Pruitt (2016-17)

Defensive line coach: Chris Rumph (2011-13), Karl Dunbar (2016-17)

Linebackers coach: Tosh Lupoi (2016-18), Pete Golding (2018-22)

Defensive backs coach: Mel Tucker (2015), Travaris Robinson (2022-23)

Special teams coach: Bobby Williams (2008-15)

Strength & conditioning coach: David Ballou (2020-23)

A few notes here … Kiffin gets the nod among a very distinguished OC group for the way he pulled Saban’s offense into the 21st century by embracing and installing no-huddle and run/pass option concepts. … Stoutland might be the greatest non-coordinator coach in the Saban era, as the lines he put on the field in his two seasons at Alabama are astounding in retrospect (and he’s since gone on to be arguably the best offensive line coach in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles). … Saban’s hand in the Alabama defense cannot be overstated, but Smart oversaw a few of the greatest defensive units in the Crimson Tide’s illustrious history (particularly the 2011 unit). … Despite his self-inflicted downfall at Tennessee, Pruitt’s reputation as a defensive savant remains unsullied. … Wide receiver coach was a tough call, but Wiggins gets the nod for nurturing the likes of DeVonta Smith and John Metchie into transcendent players. … Burns, Davis, Sunseri and Banks were equally adept as recruiters and position coaches. … Williams was Saban’s trusted confidant going back to his Michigan State days. … Then there’s Cochran, whose effect some tried to minimize on his way out the door, but maybe now we realize just how impactful he was.

So there are our picks for the “All-Saban” team. Where did we go wrong?

Creg Stephenson has worked for AL.com since 2010 and has covered college football for a variety of publications since 1994. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter/X at @CregStephenson.