The 1980s saw several big time impact players from Alabama in the NFL. One 1980s Crimson Tide player, Dwight Stephenson, is already in the NFL Hall of Fame. One would think Cornelius Bennett and Derrick Thomas are sure to follow.
Current Bama coach Mike Shula was drafted in 1987. We also see a little bit of two Bama families in the 80s drafts: Jeremiah Castille is the father of current Bama players Simeon and Tim Castille. Also, the Goode brothers (Kerry and Chris) were drafted in the 80s as well.
Stephenson was a dominant center in the NFL
Bennett played in five Super Bowls, won the Lombardi Award, was AFC Defensive Player of the Year twice and finished 7th in Heisman balloting
Pro hall of famers listed in bold
College hall of famers listed in italics
| Year | Player | Team | Draft Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Don McNeal | Dolphins |
|
| Dwight Stephenson | Dolphins |
|
|
| Wayne Hamilton | Chargers |
|
|
| Buddy Aydelette | Packers |
|
|
| Ken Harris | Giants |
|
|
| Steve Whitman | Chargers |
|
|
| 1981 | E.J. Junior | Cardinals |
|
| Byron Braggs | Packers |
|
|
| Billy Jackson | Chiefs |
|
|
| James Mallard | Cardinals |
|
|
| Major Ogilvie | 49ers |
|
|
| 1982 | Benny Perrin | Cardinals |
|
| Thomas Boyd | Packers |
|
|
| Warren Lyles | Chargers |
|
|
| Mike Pitts | Falcons |
|
|
| Jeremiah Castille | Buccaneers |
|
|
| Steve Mott | Lions |
|
|
| Robbie Jones | Giants |
|
|
| 1984 | Joe Carter | Miami |
|
| Jesse Bendross | San Diego |
|
|
| 1985 | Emanuel King | Cincinnati |
|
| Ricky Moore | San Diego |
|
|
| 1986 | Jon Hand | Indianapolis |
|
| Larry Roberts | San Francisco |
|
|
| Thornton Chandler | Dallas |
|
|
| Brent Sowell | Miami |
|
|
| 1987 | Cornelius Bennett | Indianapolis |
|
| Freddie Robinson | Indianapolis |
|
|
| Greg Richardson | Minnesota |
|
|
| Curt Jarvis | Tampa Bay |
|
|
| Wayne Davis | St. Louis |
|
|
| Wes Neighbors | Houston |
|
|
| Chris Goode | Indianapolis |
|
|
| Mike Shula | Tampa Bay |
|
|
| 1988 | Kerry Goode | Tampa Bay |
|
| Bo Wright | Buffalo |
|
|
| Phillip Brown | Atlanta |
|
|
| 1989 | Derrick Thomas | Kanasas City |
|
| Greg Gilbert | Chicago |
|
|
| Chris Mohr | Tampa Bay |
|
|
| Howard Cross | NY Giants |
|
|
| George Bethune | LA Rams |
|
Derrick Thomas once recorded seven sacks in an NFL game. Smashing QBs was his specialty.