Alabama high school and college alumni made a significant impact in the NFL’s “Top 100 Plays of the 2024 Season,” appearing 24 times across various categories—passing, catching, running, returning, and intercepting. One standout moment featured a player with Alabama ties on both ends of a key play.
Four of the top 10 plays of the season involved athletes with Alabama roots, including the No. 1 play. However, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and former Alabama standout Jalen Hurts had the simplest role in it. Hurts completed a pass to running back Saquon Barkley, who executed a spectacular backward hurdle over a Jacksonville Jaguars defender during a 28-23 victory on Nov. 3.
At No. 10, former Alabama quarterback and current Carolina Panthers signal-caller Bryce Young connected with wide receiver Adam Thielen, who made an incredible one-handed catch in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 1.
Two other top-10 plays saw Alabama-affiliated players take a more direct role.
Ranked No. 5, Buffalo Bills wide receiver and former Alabama star Amari Cooper caught a short pass before lateraling the ball back to quarterback Josh Allen, who then ran 9 yards for a touchdown in a 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
At No. 7, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix—formerly of Pinson Valley High School and Auburn—delivered an impressive 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims while on the run and escaping pressure. The play came with just eight seconds left in regulation during a 30-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
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