He coached both to College Football Playoff National Championships at the University of Alabama, but Nick Saban retirement can now watch one of them capture a Super Bowl ring in the National Football League.
Super Bowl LVIII (58) is Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
RELATED: Two former Alabama defensive starters will compete in the NFL’s East-West Shrine Bowl
Isaiah Buggs and Cameron Latu played under Saban, but now they represent the Crimson Tide on the biggest NFL stage.
Buggs, a defensive lineman, is on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He signed on Jan. 4 after spending two seasons with the Detroit Lions.
Buggs, a Louisiana native, came to the Crimson Tide in 2017 from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The junior college transfer made an immediate impact on defense.
He totaled 51 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and seven quarterback hurries — pushing the Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Buggs collected 51 tackles again in the following season. He posted 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks (team-high), three pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles in 2018. Buggs assisted Alabama to an SEC Championship and returned it to the College Football Playoff.
Latu, a tight end, was taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
He is on injured reserved for a torn meniscus, but Latu has the potential be good in the pros.
The Utah native played linebacker and tight end for the Crimson Tide, but he had his most success on offense. Latu broke out in the 2021 season with 26 catches for 410 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He had 30 catches for 377 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 2022.
Latu arrived in the 2018 signing class to Alabama and helped the team to a CFP National Championship in 2020.
Several players in the Saban era at Alabama have a Super Bowl ring, including Terrence Cody (Ravens), James Carpenter (Seahawks), Dont’a Hightower (Patriots), DeAndrew White (Patriots), Courtney Upshaw (Ravens), Chance Warmack (Eagles), Jesse Williams (Seahawks), Michael Williams (Patriots), Reggie Ragland (Chiefs) , A’Shawn Robinson (Rams), Cyrus Jones (Patriots), O.J. Howard (Buccaneers), Terrell Lewis (Rams), and Gehrig Dieter (Chiefs).
Buggs or Latu will join this group, and we’ll see which one it will be.
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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.
