5x5: The Best Alabama Offensive Tackles 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.

Mickey Welsh / USA Today Network

Strange, but true, the best offensive tackle that Nick Saban has had at Alabama is probably one that he inherited, and also scored a touchdown in the final Crimson Tide football game before the coach took over in January 2007.

The previous week, Dec. 28 to be specific, Alabama squared off against Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl, with the Crimson Tide coaching staff headed by popular interim Joe Kines. He came-oh-so-close to pulling off a dramatic come-from-behind upset as his team was down 31-17 early in the fourth quarter when Javier Arenas scored on an 86-yard punt return and the offense rallied to reach the end zone to make the score 31-31.

The drive was capped by a throwback to left tackle Andre Smith, who despite being listed as 6-4, 348 pounds had lined up as an eligible receiver. When he made the catch at the 2-yard line ... let's just say that the reception was the toughest part of the play as none of the Cowboys seemed too eager to get in the massive lineman's way. 

Alabama may not have won the game, losing on a 27-yard field goal with 8 seconds remaining, but the touchdown capped a remarkable first season for Smith, who was just the fourth true freshman to start on the offensive line at Alabama, and was credited with 62 pancake blocks en route to being named a Freshman All-American. 

In a way, the play-call had made perfect sense as Smith wasn't just considered a can't-miss pro prospect, but an impressive all-around athlete. In high school he had been selected "Mr. Football" by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, becoming the only offensive lineman to ever win the honor, and had also competed at a high level in track and field throwing events, the shot put and discus.

Under Saban he went on to be a unanimous All-American, won the 2008 Outland Trophy winner as the best interior lineman in college football, and shared the league's Jacobs Blocking Trophy (with Jonathan Luigs of Arkansas). Alabama credited him with 103 key knockdowns, plus seven blocks downfield, with just two penalties, one sack and six pressures on 334 pass plays that season.

Consequently, after being suspended from the Sugar Bowl for improper dealings with an agent, Smith left Alabama following his junior year and was the No. 6-overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft. At the time, he was thought to be one of the SEC's best left tackles in quite some time. 

So the debate about the top-five offensive tackles during the Saban era at Alabama really begins at No. 2, and there are roughly seven strong candidates: 

The Best Alabama Tackles 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 offensive tackle prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide:

1. Cyrus Kouandjio, 2011
2. Alex Leatherwood, 2017
3. Cam Robinson, 2014
4. Tommy Brockermeyer, 2021
5. Kadyn Proctor, 2023

Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports

The next five:

Evan Neal, 2018
Jonah Williams, 2016
Tyler Love 2008
A’Shawn Robinson, 2013
D.J. Fluker, 2009

Just missing: Jedrick Wills Jr., Elijah Pritchett, Pierce Quick, Tyler Booker

Key Statistic

Fewest sacks allowed during the Nick Saban  era (Year listed along with starting tackles) 

2019: 12-81 yards (Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr.)
2018: 15-121 (Jonah Williams and Jerdick Wills Jr.
2014: 16-108 (Cam Robinson and Austin Shepherd)
2011: 17-97 (Barrett Jones and D.J Fluker)
2013: 17-118 (Cyrus Kouandjio and Austin Shepherd)

Last season, Alabama yielded 22 sacks, down from 41 the previous season. 

Just missing was the 2020 line with 19 sacks, and 2009 with 20 yielded.  

Awards

Outland Trophy Winners

Includes all Crimson Tide winners from the Nick Saban era 

2020 Alex Leatherwood
2018 Quinnen Williams
2016 Cam Robinson
2011 Barrett Jones
2008 Andre Smith

Alabama Athletics

SEC Jacobs Blocking Award winners 

2007 Andre Smith (OT)
2011 Barrett Jones (OT)
2015 Ryan Kelly (C)
2016 Cam Robinson (OT)
2018 Jonah Williams (OT)
2020 Landon Dickerson (C) and Alex Leatherwood (OT) 

Consensus All-Americans at Offensive Tackle (*unanimous) 

2008 Andre Smith*
2011 Barrett Jones*
2013 Cyrus Kouandjio
2016 Cam Robinson*
2018 Johan Williams*
2020 Alex Leatherwood*
2021 Evan Neal*

NFL Draft

1. Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals, 2009, first round, sixth overall  
2. Evan Neal, New York Giants, 2022 first round, seventh overall
3. Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns, 2020, first round, 10th overall 
4. Jonah Williams, Cincinnati Bengals, 2019, first round, 11th overall
5. D.J. Fluker, San Diego Chargers. 2013, first round, 11th overall 

Alabama Athletics

Other first-round selections: Alex Leatherwood, James Carpenter.

Second-round selections: Cam Robinson, Cyrus Kouandjio 

Overall

The top 5 tackles that's we've seen during the Nick Saban era at Alabama:

1. Andre Smith
2. Jedrick Wills Jr.
3. Jonah Williams
4. Evan Neal
5. Cam Robinson

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

Cornerbacks

Defensive ends

Centers