Top 10 all-time leading passers in Alabama football history
Throughout the storied history of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, there has been no shortage of stellar play from the quarterback position.
Over the years, Alabama has seen a quarterback win the Heisman Trophy, while others have also finished highly in voting for college football's top individual honor. The Crimson Tide have also seen multiple quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, some of which have come as high as No. 1 overall.
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A big reason for that success was each's on-field performance while at Alabama, with many of those same names going on to depart Tuscaloosa leading in many of the program's all-time statistical categories, arguably the most notable of which among quarterbacks is passing yards.
Here is a look at just who Alabama's Top 10 all-time leaders in passing yards are entering the 2025 college football season.
10. Jay Barker (1991-94)
Jan 1, 1993; New Orleans, LA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jay Barker (7) in action during the 1993 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Alabama defeated Miami 34-13 to win the national championship. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 5,689
One of Alabama's top quarterbacks of the 1990's, Barker ended his four-year Crimson Tide career with 5,689 yards passing from 1991-94, combining that total with a 56.9 CMP% and 26 touchdowns during his time in Tuscaloosa. A multi-year starter at Alabama, Barker helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 1992 national championship, with his best season in Tuscaloosa likely his 1994 campaign in which he finished fifth in Heisman voting.
9. Greg McElroy (2007-10)
Jan 7, 2010; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy (12) against the Texas Longhorns during the 2010 BCS national championship game at the Rose Bowl. Alabama defeated Texas 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 5,691
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Among the first big names of the Nick Saban era, McElroy ended his Alabama career just ahead of Barker on the all-time passing leaders list with 5,691 yards from 2007-10, while also boasting a combined 66.3 CMP% and 39 scores through the air. A two-year starter at Alabama, McElroy helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 2009 national title, with his best season coming likely in 2010 where he led the SEC with a 70.9 CMP%.
8. Andrew Zow (1998-2001)
Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Alabama Crimson Tide helmet is shown on the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 5,983
A starter in the late-1990's who helped lead Alabama into the 2000's, Zow finished his Crimson Tide career with a total of 5,983 yards passing from 1998-2001, combining that total with a 53.9 CMP% and 35 touchdowns through the air. Zow's top season at Alabama was likely his first in 1998 where he threw for 1,969 yards with a 55.9 CMP%.
7. Jalen Milroe (2021-24)
Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws the ball before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Career Passing Yards: 6,016
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One of the top rushing quarterbacks in Alabama's history, Milroe ended his Crimson Tide career with 6,016 passing yards from 2021-24, along with a 64.3 CMP% and 45 touchdowns through the air. Milroe's top season at Alabama was likely his 2023 campaign in which he finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.
6. Mac Jones (2018-20)
2021: 15, Mac Jones, New England Syndication Tuscaloosa News
Career Passing Yards: 6,126
Owning one of the greatest season's Alabama has ever seen from the quarterback position, Jones concluded his Crimson Tide career with 6,126 passing yards, along with a 74.3 CMP% and 56 touchdowns through the air. The best season for Jones at Alabama was undoubtedly his 2020 season in which he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the national championship, while also finishing third in Heisman voting after leading the nation in passing yards and completion percentage.
5. Brodie Croyle (2002-05)
Oct. 22, 2005; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Brodie Croyle (12) looks to throw against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half of action at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer
Career Passing Yards: 6,382
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A multi-year starter in Tuscaloosa, Croyle's time at Alabama concluded with a combined 6,382 passing yards from 2002-05, while also posting a 56.2 CMP% with 41 scores through the air. Croyle's top season at Alabama was likely his last in 2005 where he threw for a career-high 2,499 yards and a 59.6 CMP%.
4. Tua Tagovailoa (2017-19)
Tua Tagovailoa gave himself a clean bill of health after a hip injury ended his final season at Alabama early. 2020-07-23 Tua
Career Passing Yards: 7,442
One of the more talented quarterbacks in Alabama history, Tagovailoa ended his Crimson Tide career with a total of 7,442 passing yards, along with a combined 69.3 CMP% and 87 touchdowns through the air. Helping lead Alabama to the 2017 national championship, Tagovailoa's best season at Alabama was likely his 2018 campaign in which he finished runner-up for the Heisman Trophy by leading the SEC in numerous statistical categories such as completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns.
3. John Parker Wilson (2005-08)
September 27, 2008; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson (14) throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine- USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 7,924
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The first starting quarterback of the Saban era, Wilson was a three-year starter at Alabama who ended with 7,924 passing yards, a 56.6 CMP%, and 47 touchdowns through the air. Wilson's top season at Alabama was likely his 2006 campaign pre-Saban, but an argument could certainly be made for either 2007 or 2008 as well.
2. Bryce Young (2020-22)
Nov 12, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 8,356
One of the highest-rated recruits in Alabama history, Young concluded his Crimson Tide career sitting second on the all-time passing yardage list at 8,356 total, while also owning a combined 65.8 CMP% with 80 touchdowns via the air as well. A one-time national champion in 2020, Young's top season at Alabama was his 2021 campaign in which he won the Heisman Trophy after leading the SEC in both passing yards and touchdowns.
1. AJ McCarron (2010-13)
Oct 19, 2013; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron (10) passes against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Career Passing Yards: 9,019
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One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Alabama history, McCarron is the Crimson Tide's all-time leading passer with 9,019 yards from 2010-13, which he paired that total with a career 66.9 CMP% and 77 touchdowns through the air. McCarron concluded his Alabama career as a two-time national champion in 2011 and 2012, with his best season in Tuscaloosa either his 2013 campaign in which he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, or his 2012 in which he led college football in passer rating.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: AJ McCarron, Bryce Young top Alabama football all-time leading passers
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