30 best Alabama football players to play for Nick Saban

Best Alabama football players under Nick Saban: 24. Calvin Ridley

Calvin Ridley was one of the most talented, athletic, dynamic, and skilled receivers to ever play for Alabama. He had such a complete skill set. Use any adjective you want for this player. He could do anything on a football field. His career with the Crimson Tide was a little strange, putting up his best stats his freshman season. It was his only 1,000-yard season, and he led the SEC with 89 receptions.

During that season, he had huge performances against Georgia, Florida in the SEC Title Game, and Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semi-final. He was a little bit of a dud against Clemson in the National Championship Game, but Alabama still won the game and the National Title.

Ridley had a reception in every single game of his Alabama career which spanned 44 games. He came into the Alabama offense and was an immediate must-target. Saban and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin both knew they had something special in Ridley. He only needed one play to take it to the house.

Ridley’s career started on fire but ended a little bit of a disappointment. He was still always a major big-play threat, but he had the ability and opportunity to put up Julio Jones-esque numbers.