Nick Saban was a legendary coach, and seen through the eyes of most as the greats college football coach of all-time. Saban’s defenses were some of the most impressive in the history of college football, but laying a big hit or “lowering the boom” was not necessarily just limited to defense for the Crimson Tide under Saban.
Saban’s teams were known for their willingness to embrace and look for contact. Often times his teams seemed so focused, you could sense the intensity even through the TV screen.
Here are some of the biggest hits of the Nick Saban era at Alabama
Mark Barron hits Jordan Rodgers (2011)
Alabama safety Mark Barron laid people out for four years in Tuscaloosa. And former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers may be the best hit of his college career as Baron thumps Rodgers on an option play. To this day, Rodgers probably wishes he opted to go out of bounds instead of putting his head down.
John Metchie chomps the Florida Gators
Former Alabama wide receiver John Metchie was not only a great receiver for the Tide, but would stick his nose in on tackles if necessary as well. This was no more evident than when he de-cleated Florida Gators cornerback Trey Dean off of an interception in the SEC Championship game in 2020.
Vinnie Sunseri takes out Michigan running back
Talk about assignment football. Sunseri was one of the most underrated safeties of all-time for Saban, and he proves it on this play during the season opener against the Michigan Wolverines. With an option in the works, it was clear from the start on this play that Sunseri’s only job was to key in on the running back. And key in he did.
Josh Jacobs takes his anger out on the Oklahoma Sooners
After not being recruited by the in state Sooners, Jacobs got his chance at revenge a few years later as the Tide matchup up against them in the college football playoff semifinal Orange Bowl in 2018. It is evident by watching this play that this is years of anger built up all taken out on the defensive back, who flopped to the ground after the collision.
Christion Jones knocks Mississippi State’s Brandon Holloway out
Special steams standout Christion Jones did just that against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in 2013 when he was coming down on punt coverage. Jones rammed into Mississippi State’s Brandon Holloway full speed. Holloway may still be getting up 11 years later.
While these are a few, there were several more during Saban’s time at Alabama. Names like Reuben Foster, Dee Milliner, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. and others did not make the cut here, but look them up. If you are looking for big hits, they also will not disappoint.
Complimented by defensive coordinators like Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt during his reign, the Tide defense was never anything less than ferocious against it’s competitors. And it did not matter whether they were up seven, down seven or up thirty seven. Opponents kept their head on a swivel as the Tide was always coming and always hungry.