5x5: The Best Alabama Guards During the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

If you've been following the 5x5 series, providing five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the Nick Saban era, you know that placing some Alabama football standouts in one specific spot can be challenging. 

Some players have lined up at numerous places. A handful have gone from playing on the offense to defense, and vice-versa. But on the offensive line, players can switch spots from season to season as coaches try and get the best combination of five on the field together. 

We've already touched upon why Barrett Jones and Ross Pierschbacher are both considered guards for our purposes even through they won national honors at other positions. That's the challenge with offensive linemen because most tackles can play guard, yet most guards can't play play tackle. It's often because they lack the necessary footwork or their arms aren't long enough to hold off edge-rushers. In some cases, they just can't pick up the outside rush. 

Similarly, not everyone can play center, either. In addition to reading the defense and calling out the adjustments, the person has to be able to snap the ball and effectively block someone who may be bigger and have the advantage of breathing down their neck on every play. 

The point is, having that kind of versatility shouldn't be taken for granted and is highly coveted in the NFL. It speaks volumes about how players like Jones and Pierschbacher were able to do so, along with the more recent likes of Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood.

Consequently, if this rating was based on offensive linemen as a whole, or if accolades were the determining factor, it would probably have a different outcome. But any listing of the best guards during the Saban era — meaning someone who played the position, and not just a list of the best overall offensive linemen —has to include Chance Warmack.

When he arrived on campus in 2009 out of Westlake, Ga., Warmack was just 17 years old. He developed into a fierce All-American who was also a team captain, and succeeded in being a first-round draft selection at guard, which doesn't happen very often. However, when the teammate who won the Outland Trophy winner as the nation’s top interior lineman, the Rimington Trophy as the game's best center and the academic Heisman award, Jones, claimed Warmack may be the best player on Alabama’s stellar offensive line while winning back-to-back national titles in 2011 and 2012, it's probably not wise to doubt him. 

The Best Alabama Offensive Guards of the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Recruiting

The top 5 interior linebacker prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide: 

1. Lester Cotton, 2015
2. Grant Hill, 2013
3. Terrence Ferguson, 2021
4. Richie Petibon, 2015
5. Tommy Brown, 2018

The next five ... 

Barrett Jones, 2008
Darrian Dalcourt, 2019
Deonte Brown, 2016
Kendall Randolph, 2017
Chris Owens, 2016

Mickey Welsh / USA Today Network

Key Statistic

This was a surprise to us. You'd think the statistic that would translate best to show good guard play (and outstanding running backs) would be average yards per carry, but that hasn't been the case during the Saban era. 

The two seasons an Alabama running back won the Heisman Trophy aren't in the top five. The Crimson Tide averaged 5.0 yards per carry when Mark Ingram Jr. won, and 4.6 yards per attempt when Derrick Henry won. Perhaps it only reinforces how good they were to still do that when everyone in the stadium knew they were getting the ball, and the importance of offensive balance.

Rushing yards per carry (starters at guard)

1. 2013 5.8 (LG Arie Kouandjio, RG Anthony Steen/Leon Brown)
2. 2016 5.8 (LG Ross Pierschbacher, RG Korren Kirven)
3. 2017 5.7 LG Ross Pierschbacher, RG Lester Cotton Sr)
4. 2012 5.6 (LG Chance Warmack, RG Anthony Steen)
5. 2022 5.6 (LG Javion Cohen, RG Emil Ekiyor Jr.)

Note: 2011 just missed at 5.5 yards per attempt

Awards

Guards don't usually get a lot of love when it comes to postseason honors, but the Crimson Tide has had three first-team All-Americans during the Saban era: 

2009 Mike Johnson
2012 Chance Warmack (unanimous)
2014 Arie Kouandjio

Alabama Athletics

Also, since we're counting Barrett Jones as a guard, it's important to list some of his most notable honors — none of which were won when he played the position: 

• Wuerffel Trophy (community service), 2011
• Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), 2011
• SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy, 2011
• Jim Parker Trophy (best offensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus), 2011
• William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman Trophy), 2012
• Rimington Trophy (best center), 2012

NFL Draft

The top five Crimson Tide guards selected during the Saban era:

1. Chance Warmack, Tennessee Titans, 2013, first round, 10th overall 
2. Mike Johnson, Atlanta Falcons, 2010, third round
3. Arie Kouandjio, Washington Redskins, 2015, fourth round 
4. Barrett Jones, St. Louis Rams 2013, fourth round 
5. Ross Pierschbacher, Washington Redskins, 2019, fifth round

 

The White House

Overall

1. Chance Warmack 
2. Barrett Jones
3. Mike Johnson
4. Alex Leatherwood
5. Ross Pierschbacher

This is the seventh story in the 5x5 series, which will continue throughout July. Check out:

Offense

Centers
Tackles
Tight ends

Defense

Defensive ends
Interior linebackers
Cornerbacks

Special Teams