The Alabama football program has a long history of turning its players into first-round picks, but Nick Saban could see a new level of excellence this spring. The Crimson Tide can make some history during the 2020 NFL Draft if, as expected, Tua Tagovailoa, Jedrick Wills, Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy are selected in the first round.
As noted by the NFL on CBS Twitter account on Thursday, Alabama football would be the first program in more than 50 years to see four offensive players selected in the first round of the same draft.
At this point, barring a draft-day slide of legendary proportions for Tagovailoa, it seems inevitable that the Crimson Tide will see these four players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Wills, the left tackle prospect, will almost certainly be a top-15 pick. Jeudy and Ruggs, two of the best receivers in this year’s draft, could also go that early. And even if Tagovailoa isn’t a top-10 pick due to injury concerns (of which there are plenty), he’ll almost certainly be selected in Round 1.
For years, Saban’s program was predicated on running the ball and strong defense. In recent seasons, he’s turned his team into an offensive juggernaut, and now we’re seeing the results of that work as his players take their talents to the next level.