Bama in the NFL: Lasting Longevity Lacking with Jacksonville Jaguars

There have been just over a dozen former Alabama players who have suited up for the Jaguars, who are one of the league's youngest franchises.

Christopher Walsh | Aug 7, 2023

Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports

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Alabama Crimson Tide

Can you name the former Alabama football player who has played the most for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

If you're wondering if it's a trick question, well, yeah, it is a little.

In terms of years, there are two have been with the organization through six seasons, tackle Cam Robinson (2017-present) and long-snapper Carson Tinker (2013-18). However, both suffered a torn ACL, so neither played all of team's scheduled games. Heading into 2023, Tinker has the edge, 69 games played, compared to Robinson's 61.

Of course, Robinson plays a primary position, left tackle, which led to a sizable payday. Since using a second-round pick on him in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Jaguars placed the franchise tag on him twice, including in 2022 before agreeing to a three-year contract extension worth $54 million.

Robinson is still with the team, although his 2023 season won't start for a while as he was recently suspended four games for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs. If he's able to come back and play the rest of the schedule, Robinson will overtake the former Crimson Tide player who participated in 72 games over five seasons (1999-2003) and was credited with five interceptions and 295 tackles, Fernando Bryant. The cornerback was the first Crimson Tide player to be drafted by the franchise, and remains the Jaguars' only first-round selection from Alabama, No. 26 overall, in 1999.

Bryant was never named All-Pro, or to a Pro Bowl, but he went on to win a Super Bowl with the Steelers (and college teammate Deshea Townsend) and retired prior to the start of the 2009 season.

Bama in the NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Franchise

American Football Conference

South Division

Team Colors: Teal, Black and Gold

Founded: 1993

Stadium: TIAA Bank Field (capacity: 67,858)

Playing Surface: Grass

Training Camp: TIAA Bank Field

All-Time Alabama Players

Deion Belue, CB, 2014
Fernando Bryant, DB, 1999 - 2003
Eric Curry, DE, 1998 - 2000
Marcell Dareus, DT, 2017 - 2019
Brandon Deaderick, DE, 2013
D.J. Fluker, OT, 2021
Ronnie Harrison Jr., DB, 2018 - 2019
Tommy Johnson, DB, 1995
Cam Robinson, OT, 2017 - 2022
JK Scott, P, 2022
Justin Smiley, OG, 2010
Carson Tinker, LS, 2013 - 2018
T.J. Yeldon, RB, 2015 - 2018

Crimson Tide Players Drafted

Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1999	Fernando Bryant	CB	1	26	26
2015	T.J. Yeldon	RB	2	4	36
2017	Cam Robinson	T	2	2	34
2018	Ronnie Harrison	S	3	29	93

Super Bowl Appearances

None. The Jaguars are one of four NFL teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl, along with the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans.

Jacksonville did host Super Bowl XXXIX, though. The Patriots defeated the Eagles, 24–21.

Major Awards/Honors

All-Pro

None. Through 2022, only seven Jaguars players had earned the status.

Pro Bowl

None, Through 2022, only 32 Jaguars players had landed the honor.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Fernando Bryant defends a pass intended for Green Bay's Corey Bradford in 2018 — Dan Powers / USA Today Network

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the 15th story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC

NFC

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.