<P> Alabama quarterbacks have played prominent roles in American society off the gridiron as well . Both Farley Moody and Charlie Joplin died while serving in the First World War . </P> <P> The following players were the starting quarterbacks for the Crimson Tide each season since joining the Southeastern Conference in 1933 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Season (s) Started </Th> <Th> Notability </Th> <Th> References </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hurts, Jalen Jalen Hurts </Td> <Td> 2016 - present </Td> <Td> Hurts led Alabama to the 2016 season's national championship game, where they lost to Clemson, 35 - 31 . An early enrollee who is the first freshman to start at quarterback in head coach Nick Saban's career...finished 13 - 1 as the Tide's starting quarterback...selected as a Freshman All - American by USA Today and ESPN...earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year accolades from the conference coaches and the Associated Press...garnered first team SEC honors from both the coaches and the AP...selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year by the coaches and the SEC Newcomer of the Year by the AP...finalist for the Manning Award and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award...semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year...named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, presented annually to the nation's top quarterback...added to the Manning Award Watch List on Oct. 12 thanks to his performance through the first half of the season...threw for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions...was responsible for 36 touchdowns (23 passing, 13 rushing) to break the previous Alabama record of 35 set by Blake Sims in 2014 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Blake Barnett </Td> <Td> 2016 </Td> <Td> Barnett started the first game of the 2016 season against USC . He was replaced by Jalen Hurts, who became the starting quarterback . After limited playing time in the next few games, Barnett chose to leave the program and transfer to a junior college, and then to Arizona State where he is now the backup QB behind Manny Wilkins . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Coker, Jake Jake Coker </Td> <Td> 2015 </Td> <Td> Coker led Alabama to the 2016 national championship, where they defeated Clemson, 45 - 40 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sims, Blake Blake Sims </Td> <Td> 2014 </Td> <Td> Sims was named starting quarterback just prior to their season opener against West Virginia after he won a prolonged competition against Jake Coker . Against Florida, Sims set a school record for total offense in a single game with his 484 yards that included 39 total yards rushing . Sims threw for 3,487 yards (a single season record) with 28 touchdowns . He also added 7 rushing touchdowns and 350 yards on the ground . He led the Tide to win the 2014 SEC Championship, in which he was the game's MVP . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> McCarron, AJ AJ McCarron </Td> <Td> 2011--2013 </Td> <Td> McCarron led the Crimson Tide to the 2011 and 2012 national championships and graduated as Alabama's career leader in passing yardage (9,019), completions (686) and touchdowns (77). He also holds the records for passing yards in a single season (3,063) and touchdowns (30). He finished runner - up for the Heisman Trophy in the 2013 season . He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> McElroy, Greg Greg McElroy </Td> <Td> 2009--2010 </Td> <Td> McElroy led the Crimson Tide to the 2009 national championship and was named ESPN Academic All - American of the Year for the 2010 season . He was drafted by the New York Jets in the 2011 NFL Draft . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wilson, John Parker John Parker Wilson </Td> <Td> 2006--2008 </Td> <Td> Wilson graduated as the all - time leader in several categories that have since been eclipsed . He still holds the record for completions in a single - season (255). He went undrafted but played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Croyle, Brodie Brodie Croyle </Td> <Td> 2002--2005 </Td> <Td> Croyle graduated as the all - time leader in several categories that have since been eclipsed . He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2006 NFL Draft . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guillon, Mark Mark Guillon </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Guillon started a pair of games during the 2004 season after Brodie Croyle had a season - ending injury . He subsequently left the program in October 2006 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pennington, Spencer Spencer Pennington </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Pennington started the final seven games of the 2004 season after injuries to both Brodie Croyle and Mark Guillon . He left the program in January 2005 to focus only on his baseball career with the Crimson Tide . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Avalos, Brandon Brandon Avalos </Td> <Td> 2003 </Td> <Td> Avalos started against Southern Miss during the 2003 season due to injuries to both Brodie Croyle and Spencer Pennington . He left the program in January 2004 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Watts, Tyler Tyler Watts </Td> <Td> 2000--2002 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zow, Andrew Andrew Zow </Td> <Td> 1998--2000 </Td> <Td> Led Alabama to a SEC Championship in 1999 and finished his career as the all time passing yards leader (now 4th). </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Phillips, John David John David Phillips </Td> <Td> 1998 </Td> <Td> As a fifth year senior, Phillips started the first four games of the season before being replaced by Andrew Zow for the year . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kitchens, Freddie Freddie Kitchens </Td> <Td> 1995--1997 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burgdorf, Brian Brian Burgdorf </Td> <Td> 1995 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Barker, Jay Jay Barker </Td> <Td> 1992--1994 </Td> <Td> All - SEC . Baker led Alabama the 1992 national championship . He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL draft . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Woodson, Danny Danny Woodson </Td> <Td> 1991 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hollingsworth, Gary Gary Hollingsworth </Td> <Td> 1989--1990 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Smith, David David Smith </Td> <Td> 1987--1988 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dunn, Jeff Jeff Dunn </Td> <Td> 1987--1989 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sutton, Vince Vince Sutton </Td> <Td> 1987--1988, 1984 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shula, Mike Mike Shula </Td> <Td> 1984--1986 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lewis, Walter Walter Lewis </Td> <Td> 1981--1983 </Td> <Td> Lewis was the first black quarterback to start for the Crimson Tide and led Alabama during the final three seasons of the Bryant era . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jacobs, Don Don Jacobs </Td> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shealy, Steadman S. Steadman S. Shealy </Td> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> All - SEC . Shealy led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and the 1979 national championship . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rutledge, Jeff Jeff Rutledge </Td> <Td> 1976--1978 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Todd, Richard Richard Todd </Td> <Td> 1974--1975 </Td> <Td> Todd was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rutledge, Gary Gary Rutledge </Td> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> Rutledge was the first of two brothers to lead a national championship team . He led Alabama to the 1973 national championship and his brother Jeff Rutledge led Alabama to the 1978 national championship . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Davis, Terry Terry Davis </Td> <Td> 1971--1972 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hayden, Neb Neb Hayden </Td> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hunter, Scott Scott Hunter </Td> <Td> 1968--1970 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Trimble, Wayne Wayne Trimble </Td> <Td> 1966 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Stabler, Ken Ken Stabler </Td> <Td> 1966--1967 </Td> <Td> All - SEC . Super Bowl XI Champion . Pro Football Hall of Fame . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sloan, Steve Steve Sloan </Td> <Td> 1962--1965 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Namath, Joe Joe Namath </Td> <Td> 1962--1964 </Td> <Td> All - SEC . Pro Football Hall of Fame . Super Bowl III Champion . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Trammell, Pat Pat Trammell </Td> <Td> 1959--1961 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jackson, Bobby Bobby Jackson </Td> <Td> 1958 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Smith, Bobby Bobby Smith </Td> <Td> 1956--1957 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Walls, Clay Clay Walls </Td> <Td> 1956 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Starr, Bart Bart Starr </Td> <Td> 1953--1955 </Td> <Td> Pro Football Hall of Fame . NFL 1960s All - Decade Team . Two - time Super Bowl Champion and MVP (Most Valuable Player). At Alabama, he also played punter . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hobson, Clell Clell Hobson </Td> <Td> 1951--1952 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Salem, Ed Ed Salem </Td> <Td> 1949--1950 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Avinger, Butch Butch Avinger </Td> <Td> 1949--1950 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Brown, Jack Jack Brown </Td> <Td> 1948 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Morrow, Hugh Hugh Morrow </Td> <Td> 1947 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Self, Hal Hal Self </Td> <Td> 1945--1946 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gilmer, Harry Harry Gilmer </Td> <Td> 1945 </Td> <Td> All - SEC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> McWhorter, Jim Jim McWhorter </Td> <Td> 1941--1942 </Td> <Td> 1941 team won Cotton Bowl and national championship . 1942 team won Orange Bowl . Drafted by Detroit Lions after WWII service . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DeShane, Chuck Chuck DeShane </Td> <Td> 1939--1940 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hughes, Hal Hal Hughes </Td> <Td> 1937--1938 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bradford, Vic Vic Bradford </Td> <Td> 1936--1938 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Riley, Joe Joe Riley </Td> <Td> 1936 </Td> <Td> All - SEC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Smith, Riley Riley Smith </Td> <Td> 1934--1935 </Td> <Td> All - SEC </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Season (s) Started </Th> <Th> Notability </Th> <Th> References </Th> </Tr>

Who was the alabama quarterback before jalen hurts