Bama in the NFL: Is Patrick Surtain II Already Best of the Denver Broncos?

The Crimson Tide has had some memorable standouts play for the Broncos, but last season Surtain was the first named All-Pro.

He wears No. 2, which is fitting because that's how many years in the NFL it took Patrick Surtain II to be named an All-Pro. He did it at the age of 22, and if you're into numerical significance there's the obvious nod to his father, who also once played for Nick Saban, and was an All-Pro with the Miami Dolphins. 

Yet there's nothing second-level about the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout, the youngest player in Denver Broncos history to be named All-Pro. 

Consequently, he might already be the best Alabama player to ever play for the NFL franchise. The two other Crimson Tide standouts best known for their time in Denver are Bobby Humphrey and Jeremiah Castille.

Humprhey was only with the Broncos from 1989-91, but the middle year saw him make the Pro Bowl. In 51 career games, Humphrey had 695 carries for 2,857 yards and 15 touchdowns, and also caught 100 yards for 815 yards and two touchdowns. 

Castille played five seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being traded to Denver, and during the 1987 AFC Championship Game stripped the ball away from Cleveland running back Earnest Byner, on the play known as “The Fumble.”

But Surtain is already on the short list for best cornerback in the NFL, and, depending on whom you're asking, may top it.

The ninth-overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft started in 16 games as a rookie, only missing the regular season finale. He finished with 58 total tackles (45 solo), four interceptions and 14 passes defended.

Last season, he started all 17 games for the Broncos and finished with 60 total tackles (46 solo), two interceptions, ten passes defended, and one forced fumble. But the change in how other teams schemed against him an the Denver defense was noticable.

“He’s an unbelievable football player, unbelievable person, and then his work ethic, everything that he does” former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett told the Daily Camera in November. “I wouldn’t really blame people for not trying to throw over there because of his skill set.”

Bama in the NFL: Denver Broncos

The Franchise

American Football Conference 

West Division

Team Colors: Orange, Broncos Navy Blue and White

Founded: 1960, was a charter member of the AFL.

Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High (76,125)

Playing Surface: Kentucky Blue Grass 

Training Camp: Centura Health Training Center, Englewood, Colo.

All-Time Alabama Players

1. Christopher Allen, LB, 2022
2. Mark Barron, LB, 2020
3. Jeremiah Castille, DB, 1987 - 1988
4. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, DB, 2021
5. Ahmaad Galloway, RB, 2003
6. Patrick Hape ,TE ,2001 - 2004
7. Bobby Humphrey, RB, 1989 - 1991
8. Kareem Jackson, DB, 2019 - 2022
9. Jerry Jeudy, WR, 2020 - 2022
10. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, 2017 - 2018
11. Triandos Luke, WR, 2004
12. Evan Mathis, OG, 2015
13. Michael Myers, DT, 2005 - 2006
14. John Sullins, LB, 1992
15. Pat Surtain II, CB, 2021 - 2022

Crimson Tide Drafted Players

Year	Player	Pos.	Round	Pick	Overall
1977	Calvin Culliver	RB	8	17	212
1989 (S)	Bobby Humphrey	RB	1	0	0
1998	Curtis Alexander	RB	4	30	122
2003	Ahmaad Galloway	RB	7	21	235
2004	Triandos Luke	WR	6	6	171
2020	Jerry Jeudy	WR	1	16	16
2021	Patrick Surtain II	CB	1	9	9

Super Bowl Appearances

Jeremiah Castille, Super Bowl XXI (Jan. 25, 1987) and XXII (Jan. 31, 1988)

The Giants defeated the Broncos, 39–20, for their first Super Bowl and first NFL title since 1956.

Castille had a third-quarter interception in Super Bowl XXII, but the Redskins were already ahead 35-10, en route to the 42-10 victory.

Bobby Humphrey, Super Bowl XXIV, Jan. 28, 1990

The starting running back had 12 carries for 61 yards, and had three receptions, including a 27-yard shovel pass that was John Elway's longest completion in the 55-10 loss to the 49ers (he was tackled by Ronnie Lott on the play). 

Evan Mathis, Super Bowl 50, Feb. 7, 2016

He was the starting left guard as CJ Anderson had 90 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Broncos beat the Panthers 24-10. Denver won despite being outgained in total yards (315–194) and first downs (21–11).

Major Awards/Honors

All-Pro 

Patrick Surtain II (1): 2022

Pro Bowl 

Patrick Surtain II (1): 2022

Bobby Humphrey (1): 1990

Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: The Denver Broncos

In conjunction with our revamped Bama in the NFL Database, this is the 10th story in a series examining the team-by-team history of Alabama's former players in the NFL.

AFC

• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns

NFC

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• Chicago Bears
• Dallas Cowboys

See Also

Bama in the NFL: The Ultimate Crimson Tide Database
Bama in the NFL: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team