LOOK: Alabama football takes victory lap on impressive NFL success under Nick Saban
Nearly every time you turn on an NFL game, somebody from Alabama is out there making some time kind of play. Could be on the offensive end or defensive end. Heck, even special teams have excelled under head coach Nick Saban, continuously putting players in the league.
Alabama has had a first-round pick in every NFL Draft since 2009, with the 2008 edition being the only instance in the Saban era without one. Talent has been pumped out of Tuscaloosa on a yearly basis and those players are being rewarded for it.
A graphic was released by the Alabama Football Twitter account on Thursday, taking a victory lap of sorts around other college programs. Crimson Tide players, current and former, who have been coached by Saban have now made $1.94 billion in the NFL.
Yes, billion with a B. You can check out the full graphic here, where Saban is called the “certified GOAT.”
It won’t be too long before the number grows either and Alabama breaks the $2 billion range. Multiple players are about to get paid across a plethora of positions. Quarterback may be the biggest though, with both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa in need of a fresh contract in the near future.
This year’s 2023 NFL Draft class from Alabama will get some cash in their pockets as well. Quarterback Bryce Young is projected to go No. 1 overall, while Will Anderson is considered a top two non-quarterback pick.
Defensive back Brian Branch and running back Jahmyr Gibbs have the opportunity to be selected in the first round as well. Point being, the number is only going to continue to go up and blow away the rest of college football.
The goal for most recruits coming out of high school is being developed into an NFL talent and then getting paid big bucks. No place is better for that right now than Alabama.