Jeff Redcross
Class of 2013
Jeff Redcross’s football career stands as a remarkable story of perseverance, discipline and rapid development into one of the most dominant defensive players in college football.
A multi-sport athlete at Sparkman High School, Redcross did not play varsity football until his senior season. Because of his Seventh-day Adventist faith, he did not participate in Friday night games until that final year. Despite the limited experience, his size, athleticism and natural ability quickly caught the attention of college recruiters.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing about 220 pounds, Redcross earned a scholarship to the University of North Alabama, where he became a cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in the Lions’ football history.
From 1990 through 1993, Redcross was a four-year letterman and a dominant presence on the defensive line. His senior season proved especially outstanding. In 1993 he recorded 82 tackles, including 15 for loss, along with seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Those numbers helped propel North Alabama to a perfect 14-0 record and the NCAA Division II national championship. In the title game, the Lions defeated Indiana (Pa.), completing one of the most memorable seasons in program history.
Redcross’s performance earned national recognition. He was named National Defensive Player of the Year by Football Gazette and Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while also receiving multiple All-America honors.
During his career, North Alabama reached the NCAA Division II playoffs three times. His achievements later earned him selection to the UNA 50th Anniversary Team and the Gulf South Conference All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Away from the football field, Redcross demonstrated a strong commitment to service. From 1990 to 1998 he served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, including deployment to the Persian Gulf.
In 2005 he was inducted into the University of North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame. Today, Redcross continues serving his community as a police officer in Florence, Alabama.
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