Next week has an opportunity to be special for Nick Saban and the University of Alabama.
He will graduate a new wave of players to the National Football League, and it will put him over 100 players that have been drafted from the Crimson Tide since 2009. Ninety-six players have been selected to the NFL under Saban, including 33 first-round picks. Alabama is projected to have at least five first-rounders next Thursday, which would put Saban at 38 overall.
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The Miami Hurricanes have the most first-round picks of any program in the NFL Draft.
Six athletes from the school were selected in 2004, including Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow II, and Jonathan Vilma in the top-15. Alabama has a chance to tie the record, especially if Najee Harris (running back) and Christian Barmore (defensive lineman) get called in the first round.
Most draft pundits have Mac Jones (quarterback), DeVonta Smith (wide receiver), Jaylen Waddle (wide receiver), and Patrick Surtain II (cornerback) all going in the first round. Jones, Smith, Surtain, and Barmore will be attending the draft in Cleveland, Ohio.
It will be fun to see how everything shakes out.
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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.
