For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, a live sports event took place this week with the National Football League holding its first-ever “virtual draft.”
People were glued to the television as the raw emotions of young athletes and their families remained compelling. Prior to Thursday night, Nick Saban had 87 players from Alabama selected in the event. After the first three rounds, the number has grown to 97.
RELATED: Former Tide LB Anfernee Jennings goes to Patriots at No. 87 in NFL Draft
He made NFL Draft history on Thursday in being the only coach in the common draft era to place all 22 positions (11 on offense, 11 on defense) in the first round. As the draft concludes on Saturday, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine recaps the players who have been taken and names those who are still on the board.
First Round
Tua Tagovailoa, QB (No. 5, Miami Dolphins)
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT (No. 10, Cleveland Browns)
Henry Ruggs III, WR (No. 12, Las Vegas Raiders)
Jerry Jeudy, WR (No. 15, Denver Broncos)
Second Round
Xavier McKinney, S (No. 36, New York Giants)
Trevon Diggs, CB (No. 51, Dallas Cowboys)
*Jalen Hurts, QB (No. 53, Philadelphia Eagles)
Raekwon Davis, DL (No. 56, Miami Dolphins)
*Hurts was also a quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners
Third Round
Terrell Lewis, OLB (No. 84, Los Angeles Rams)
Anfernee Jennings, OLB (No. 87, New England Patriots)
Players still on the board
Jared Mayden, S
Shyheim Carter, DB
Matt Womack, OT
Tevita Musika, DL
Rounds four through seven of the draft will continue on Saturday at noon. The venue is being aired on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network, while also streaming live on YouTube TV.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
