Remember that 2016 Alabama defense? You know, the one that terrorized college football? Well, NFL Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs sure does. During his recent chat on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Jacobs opened up about how facing that unit daily as a freshman shaped him into the player he is today.
If you’re wondering just how good that defense was, here’s a refresher: Jonathan Allen, Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Reuben Foster, Tim Williams, Ryan Anderson, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Da’Ron Payne all wore crimson that year. Talk about a murderers’ row of talent!
Josh Jacobs Looks Back on the Chaos and Greatness of 2016 Alabama
Can you imagine being a freshman walking into that practice environment? Jacobs couldn’t believe it either.
“The whole defense my freshman year got drafted,” he said during the interview. “You’re a freshman coming in, and you’re going against guys that are all going to the league. It was crazy.”
The 2016 Alabama defense was LOADED pic.twitter.com/MgvUtKuyPP
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) May 10, 2025
There were moments when Jacobs wondered if he belonged.
“There was a time I questioned if I was cut out to play for Alabama,” Jacobs admitted.
And who could blame him? The intensity was off the charts.
“You couldn’t take a play off. If you did, they’d embarrass you,” Jacobs recalled.
Every practice was like running through a gauntlet of future NFL stars. But that crucible of competition? It turned out to be exactly what he needed.
The Legacy of the 2016 Alabama Defense
For Jacobs, those bruising practice sessions became invaluable preparation.
“It was like playing on Sundays,” he explained, noting how the defense’s speed and football IQ mirrored what he’d later face as a pro.
By the time he reached the NFL, Jacobs found himself thinking, “This is nothing compared to what I saw at Bama.”
That 2016 squad wasn’t just any defense—they led the nation in scoring defense, total defense, and defensive touchdowns. Their 14-1 record and national championship appearance cemented their legacy as one of college football’s all-time great units.
KEEP READING: Nick Saban’s First Heisman Star Mark Ingram II Joins 2025 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class
“It wasn’t just about talent,” Jacobs reflected. “It was about the mentality. Those guys brought it every single day.”
He gives plenty of credit to Nick Saban’s coaching philosophy, too.
“Coach Saban didn’t let anybody get comfortable. You had to earn everything,” Jacobs said.
Looking back, Jacobs sees those punishing practices as the foundation of his professional success. As he put it so perfectly: “If you could make it through that, you could make it anywhere.”
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