Building The Ultimate Alabama Team: Defensive Line

You guys know the drill by now, so lets jump right into it.  Choose up to four and the top six move on to the next round.  Here are the choices (Bryant Era to present) ...

Terrence Cody (2008-2009)

The Mississippi Gulf Coast transfer spent only two years at Alabama, but his impact was substantial.  As a two gapping nose tackle, Cody's numbers aren't going to stand out, but his contributions extend far beyond statistics.  Cody anchored a defense that was one of the five best in the country during his two years, losing only two games along the way.  He was All-SEC First Team in his second year, and made numerous other All-American over both years.  And then there's Rocky Block ...

Jon Hand (1982-1985)

Hand's entire Alabama career was solid, but his senior year was particularly noteworthy.  He racked up 77 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 sack.  Hand was rewarded for his efforts when he went number four overall to the Indianapolis Colts in the following year's draft.

Marcell Dareus (2008-2010)

After only playing in sub packages during his true freshman season, Dareus was a full time starter and a force to be reckoned with over his final two years.  Over his entire career at the Capstone, Dareus recorded 71 tackle and a remarkable 20 of them went for a loss.  He also picked up 11 sacks.  His most noteworthy moment came in his only BCS National Championship Game, when he intercepted a pass from Texas' QB Garrett Gilbert just before the half, and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown.  Dareus went third overall to the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 NFL draft.

Eric Curry (1989-1992)

Curry is best known for his final season in Tuscaloosa, when he terrorized opposing QBs en route to a National Championship.  Curry racked up 10.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss, before leaving as the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft.  And speaking of that great 1992 defense ...

John Copeland (1991-1992)

Copeland was Curry's partner in crime, and his 1992 season is nearly a mirror image of Curry's.  He also recorded 10.5 sacks, but managed to tally 11 tackles for loss.  Additionally he racked up 65 total tackles.  Copeland went one pick before Curry, fifth overall to the Bengals.

Leroy Cook (1972-1975)

Cook was a two time All-American (1974 and 1975) and was the captain of the 1975 defense.  In total, over his four years at Alabama, he picked up 15 sacks and 27 tackles for loss.  He also had 200 total tackles.

E.J. Junior (1977-1980)

Junior was an All-American in 1980 and a key player on two National Championship teams.  He went fourth overall to the then St. Louis Cardinals in the 1981 NFL Draft.

Marty Lyons (1975-1978)

Lyons was an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and his 4 year stint in Tuscaloosa included 202 total tackles.  He went 14th overall in the NFL draft.

Bob Baumhower (1973-1976)

Baumhower was a two time second team All-American.  He's probably best known for his NFL career, where he was a five time Pro Bowler while playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Wallace Gilberry (2003-2007)

In his Alabama career, Gilberry recorded 21.5 sacks and 60.5 tackles for loss.  Gilberry's junior campaign was particularly impressive, during which he tallied 10.5 tackles for loss to go along with 3.5 sacks.

*I'm sorry that the bios are rather short for the players I wasn't around to watch play.