Legendary head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement this week. The longtime Alabama coach had tremendous success at the college level. He also helped produce a plethora of NFL prospects over the years at his coaching stops.
Saban coached at Alabama from 2008 to 2023, and most of the first-rounders come from that era. There were 43 Saban-coached players selected in the first round of the NFL draft between the 2009 and 2023 editions. He was also responsible for the first-round picks selected from LSU between the 2001 and 2005 drafts, as well as Michigan State from 1996 to 2000.
Here are all 49 players selected in the first round who finished their college careers being coached by Nick Saban at his various stops, from the most recent to the very first.
Detroit Lions first-round draft pick Jahmyr Gibbs from Alabama talks with reporters during the players' introductory…Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. with NFL commissioner Roger…Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Alabama quarterback Bryce Young on stage after he was…Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams with NFL commissioner Roger…Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal after being selected as…Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide corrnerback Patrick Surtain Jr. is displayed on…Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; DeVonta Smith (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being…Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Mac Jones (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being…Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell over video…Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being…CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Najee Harris as the 24th selection…Josh Jacobs poses with his Raiders jersey and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked in…UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by…UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by…UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by…UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by…Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Dont'a Hightower (Alabama) is introduced as the number twenty-five…Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Jonah Williams (left) poses with…Apr 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Quinnen Williams (Alabama) stands with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after…Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being…ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Da'Ron Payne of Alabama…ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Calvin Ridley of Alabama…Apr 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Rashaan Evans (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being…PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Ravens fan TJ Onwuanibe and Mark Kurth pose witn Commissioner…Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jonathan Allen (Alabama) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right)…Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick linebacker Reuben…Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban watches tight end…PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 09: Offensive lineman Ryan Kelly #70 of the Alabama Crimson Tide addresses…NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Amari Cooper #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on…NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: C.J. Mosley of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with NFL…NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with…Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; D.J. Fluker (Alabama) is introduced as the number eleven…Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces Chance Warmack (Alabama) as…Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces Dee Milliner (Alabama) as…Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces Mark Barron (Alabama) as…NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama holds up a jersey as he…Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces running back Trent Richardson…Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces defensive tackle Marcell Dareus…Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; Wide receiver Julio Jones (Alabama) is introduced as the…Jan. 29, 2011; Mobile, AL, USA; South Squad offensive lineman James Carpenter of Alabama signs autographs…Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces running back Mark Ingram…Apr 23, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans first round draft pick Kareem Jackson is introduced…August 28, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain (55) stands on the field…Nov 29, 2009; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick offensive tackle Andre Smith…Oct 9, 2004; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers Marcus Spears celebrates after the LSU defense sacks…NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 4: Michael Clayton #14 of LSU celebrates with the trophy after defeating…1 Jan 2000: Plaxico Burress #4 of the Michigan State Spartans slids to the ground with…18 Sep 1999: Julian Peterson #98 of the Michigan State Spartans tackles Arnaz Battle #3 of…29 Aug 1998: Defensive end Dimitrius Underwood #99 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during…
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