Over the years, the Alabama football program has been home to some of the greatest defensive players that college football has ever seen.
A list of legendary names who played under coaches such as Saban and Bryant, Alabama’s defense over the years has produced countless All-America selections, award winners, and first round picks, among additional accolades.
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During their time in Tuscaloosa, many of these same names also set multiple Alabama football defensive records, a few of which are still standing today.
A list loaded with Crimson Tide greats, here are the 10 all-time leading tacklers in Alabama football history as of the 2025 season, per the university.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Lawson is the newest member of this prestigious list, as the former Alabama linebacker ended his five-year career with 283 tackles, surpassing Saleem Rasheed’s 280 this past season. The linebacker was a multi-year starter for the Crimson Tide during his time in Tuscaloosa.
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9. Robbie Jones (1979-82)
Jones played four seasons at Alabama, finishing his Crimson Tide career with 284 total tackles. The linebacker was a member of the Crimson Tide defense from 1979-82.
8. Cornelius Bennett (1983-86)
Bennett was one of Alabama’s top players immediately after the Bryant era, finishing his Crimson Tide career with 287 tackles over four seasons from 1983-86. The linebacker was an accomplished defensive player in Tuscaloosa, receiving multiple All-America selections.
7. Marcus Spencer (1997-2000)
Spencer is the first of only seven players who surpassed the 300-tackle mark during their Alabama careers, doing so with 303 across his four seasons in Tuscaloosa. The defensive back is remembered most for his 19-tackle game against Mississippi State back in 2000.
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Harper owns the most career tackles among Alabama safeties all-time, sitting at 307 total across his four seasons in Tuscaloosa. The safety was a multi-time All-SEC selection during his time with the Crimson Tide.
Nov. 12, 2005; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; University of Alabama’s Roman Harper (41), plays against Louisiana State University on Nov. 12, 2005 at Alabama. Mandatory Credit: Lloyd Gallman-USA TODAY NETWORK
One of Alabama’s top linebackers of the early 2000’s was Ryans, who amassed 309 tackles over four seasons while in Tuscaloosa. Ryans, who received multiple individual honors during his time at Alabama, currently owns the record for the most tackles in a game in Crimson Tide history with 25 against Arkansas in 2003, as well as second-most in a season that same year with 126.
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4. Woodrow Lowe (1972-75)
Lowe finished his four-year career at Alabama from 1972-75 with 315 tackles. The linebacker owns the Crimson Tide single-season record with 134 tackles during the 1973 campaign, with Lowe also a three-time All-America selection while at Alabama.
Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosely (32) pressures Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
One of Alabama’s greatest linebackers from the Nick Saban era, Mosley finished his four seasons in Tuscaloosa with 319 total tackles. The 2013 Butkus Award winner, Mosley was a multi-time All-America selection at Alabama, and is likely remembered most for his stellar 2012-13 seasons.
2. Thomas Boyd (1979-82)
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Boyd ranks a close second with 324 total tackles across his four seasons at Alabama from 1979-82. The linebacker is likely remembered most from his 1980 season in which he amassed 120 total tackles, the fourth-most in a single season in program history.
1. Wayne Davis (1983-86)
As of the 2025 season, Davis ranks as Alabama’s all-time leading tackler with 327 total across his four-year career in Tuscaloosa from 1983-86. The linebacker owns one of the top defensive games in Alabama history, a 24-tackle showing against Texas A&M back in 1985, as well as the third-most tackles in a single season with 125 during that same campaign.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Top 10 all-time leading tacklers in Alabama football history
