Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 57 days

If you can believe it, we are officially under the 60-day mark until Alabama is back on a live-game football field. After coming up short in the national championship game against Georgia back in early January, the Crimson Tide will once again be searching for its seventh title under Nick Saban.

This year’s season opener will be against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 3 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

With today being July 8, that means we are only 57 days away from the return of Alabama football. The team here at BamaOn3 is ready to celebrate every day of the countdown standing between now and the start of football season. Let’s focus on a player — both past and present — who represents — or has represented — the No. 57.

*Note: BamaOn3 is also doing a Countdown to Fall Camp, which is only 28 days away.

Who currently wears the No. 57?

As of right now, there aren’t any scholarship players wearing the No. 57 for Alabama. In fact, sophomore Chase Quigley, a walk-on defensive lineman out of Libertyville (Ill.) who wore the number in 2021, is the only player listed on the roster with it.

The last time a scholarship player wore the number was back in 2020, and current offensive lineman Javion Cohen was that player. But the Phenix City (Ala.) native switched to the No. 70 prior to his second season after it came open with the depature of first-round pick Alex Leatherwood.

The No. 57 was a popular number during the early days of the Nick Saban era.

Former linebacker Darrin Mustin was already wearing it when the longtime Alabama coach arrived on campus back in 2007, and then defensive linemen Marcell Dareus (2008-10) and D.J. Pettway (2011, 2013-14) followed him up by wearing it through the 2014 season.

Cohen is the only scholarship player to wear it since Pettway left.

Who’s a noteworthy former player to wear it?

Let’s discuss the “best center” legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant ever had the pleasure of being around. Of course, we’re talking about the great Dwight Stephenson, who starred along the Crimson Tide’s offensive line from 1977-79.

At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, Stephenson was built more like a linebacker than an offensive lineman, but that didn’t matter. He’s still known as one of the best centers of all time, regardless of whether you’re talking about the college or NFL level. In other words, Bryant isn’t the only one who thought Stephenson might’ve been the GOAT.

Stephenson was a three-year starter for Alabama. In 1979, he was an All-SEC and All-American selection while also earning the Jacobs Trophy for being the SEC’s best blocker. Stephenson also made it as the center on Alabama’s Team of the Century, if that tells you anything.

His greatness wasn’t exclusive to the college level though.

After being a second-round pick (No. 48 overall) by the Miami Dolphins in he 1980 NFL Draft, Stephenson went on to eight seasons in the league. He was a five-time Pro Bowler (1983-87), a second-team All-Pro (1983) and a four-time first-team All-Pro (1984-87) selection. He was also named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1980s.

Had it not been for a knee injury in 1987, Stephenson’s career likely would’ve gone even longer.

2022 Alabama Football Schedule

Sept. 3 vs. Utah State Aggies (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Sept. 10 at Texas Longhorns (Austin, Tex.)

Sept. 17 vs. UL-Monroe Warhawks (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Sept. 24 vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 1 at Arkansas Razorbacks (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Oct. 8 vs. Texas A&M Aggies (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 15 at Tennessee Volunteers (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Oct. 22 vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 29 – OPEN WEEK

Nov. 5 at LSU Tigers (Baton Rouge, La.)

Nov. 12 at Ole Miss Rebels (Oxford, Miss.)

Nov. 19 vs. Austin Peay Governors (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Nov. 26 vs. Auburn Tigers (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Dec. 3 – SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Atlanta, Ga.)