With over 70 players currently listed on NFL rosters, it isn’t very hard for any former Alabama players to find each other in the league. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t exciting to reunite with some former teammates, and during the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles joint practice on Monday, there were a few Crimson Tide members looking forward to catch up with each other.
Notably, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was looking forward to seeing Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones who he hadn’t seen in quite some time since Hurts transferred to Oklahoma during the 2019 season.
“Mac, I think he’s a great player,” Hurts said to reporters following practice. “We spent a lot of time together at Alabama, when him and Tua (Tagovailoa) came in. I’ve seen him grow so much. It’s good to see him now, seeing him with the opportunity he has now. I’m excited for him.”
Hurts, Jones and Tagovailoa all once communed in the Alabama quarterbacks room during each of their stints in Tuscaloosa.
The two quarterbacks weren’t the only ones meeting back up at the practice as the Patriots have former Alabama running back Damien Harris, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and linebacker Dont’a Hightower on its roster.
The Eagles also have wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and offensive linemen Ross Pierschbacher and Landon Dickerson who Jones was very close to at Alabama.
“It was cool to talk with them,” Jones said. “Obviously, that was kind of the past, and they were great teammates, but it was good to see them out there.”
The Patriots also have former Alabama running back Damien Harris, defensive lineman Christian Barmore and linebacker Dont’a Hightower on its roster.
In 2020, Alabama had more former players on active NFL rosters than any other college team at the pro level. It’s a testament to head coach Nick Saban and the players for working towards reaching their fullest potential.
“We put a lot of work in. Alabama is a different place,” Hurts said. “It’s a process, and you have to trust and buy into that process. I think we’ve all kind of made it out in our particular ways, so we’re all blessed and fortunate to have opportunities to play this game we love at the highest level, so we don’t take that for granted.”
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
