Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa will meet head-to-head in the NFL for the first time on Thursday Night Football.
Unless, of course, you count that legendary college football matchup between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, which the Tigers won 46-41 on Nov. 9, 2019.
That was basically a NFL game, too, when you consider the collection of pro talent that day on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Consider these staggering facts:
- A total of 55 players who were on the LSU and Alabama roster for that game were selected in the NFL Draft from 2020-22.
- A total of 37 of the 44 starters on offense and defense were drafted.
- There were 18 first-round picks between the two teams.
- The starting quarterbacks, running backs and receivers from both teams were all taken within the two first rounds of the NFL Draft.
Burrow and Tagovailoa won’t be the only ones who played in that game on the sidelines Thursday either. Cincinnati receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Dolphins long-snapper Blake Ferguson played for LSU. Miami receiver Jaylen Waddle and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis played for Alabama.
That wasn’t just the Game of the Century in college football. It’s carried over to the NFL. A closer look at both rosters from 2019, and just how next level they are:
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2019 Alabama players in the NFL
The Crimson Tide had 25 players from the 2019 team that were drafted in the NFL, and 22 of those players are on active NFL rosters heading into Week 4. A total of 17 starters from that game were drafted, including 11 first-round picks. Nine of those first-round picks started in the game.
A closer look at those 25 players sorted by their draft round from 2020-22:
| YEAR | ROUND | PLAYER | POSITION | TEAM |
| 2020 | 1 | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Dolphins |
| 2020 | 1 | Jedrick Wills | T | Browns |
| 2020 | 1 | Henry Ruggs IV | WR | Raiders |
| 2020 | 1 | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Broncos |
| 2021 | 1 | Jaylen Waddle | WR | Dolphins |
| 2021 | 1 | Patrick Surtain Jr. | CB | Broncos |
| 2021 | 1 | DeVonta Smith | WR | Eagles |
| 2021 | 1 | Mac Jones | QB | Patriots |
| 2021 | 1 | Alex Leatherwood | T | Raiders |
| 2021 | 1 | Najee Harris | RB | Alabama |
| 2022 | 1 | Evan Neal | T | Giants |
| 2020 | 2 | Xavier McKinney | S | Giants |
| 2020 | 2 | Trevon Diggs | CB | Cowboys |
| 2020 | 2 | Raekwon Davis | DT | Dolphins |
| 2021 | 2 | Landon Dickerson | C | Eagles |
| 2021 | 2 | Christian Barmore | DT | Patriots |
| 2022 | 2 | John Metchie III | WR | Texans |
| 2022 | 2 | Phidarian Mathis | DT | Commanders |
| 2020 | 3 | Terrell Lewis | LB | Rams |
| 2020 | 3 | Anfernee Jennings | LB | Patriots |
| 2022 | 3 | Christian Harris | LB | Texans |
| 2022 | 3 | Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | Commanders |
| 2022 | 4 | Jalyn Armour-Davis | CB | Ravens |
| 2021 | 6 | Deonte Brown | G | Panthers |
| 2021 | 6 | Thomas Fletcher | LS | Panthers |
That list does not include tight end Miller Forristall and defensive back Josh Jobe, who were undrafted but active in the NFL.
Harris, Diggs and Jones, who was Tagovailoa’s backup, all made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
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2019 LSU players in the NFL
The Tigers had 30 players drafted from the 2019 team, which went on to win the College Football Playoff championship. A total of 26 of those players are active on NFL rosters in Week 4. A total of 20 starters from the game were drafted, and seven were first-round picks.
That list does not include tight end Thaddeus Moss, who was not drafted but was on practice squads for Washington and Cincinnati from 2020-21. A closer look at those 30 players sorted by their draft round from 2020-22:
| YEAR | ROUND | PLAYER | POS | TEAM |
| 2020 | 1 | Joe Burrow | QB | Bengals |
| 2020 | 1 | K’Lavon Chaisson | LB | Jaguars |
| 2020 | 1 | Justin Jefferson | WR | Vikings |
| 2020 | 1 | Patrick Queen | LB | Ravens |
| 2020 | 1 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | Chiefs |
| 2021 | 1 | Ja’Marr Chase | WR | Bengals |
| 2022 | 1 | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | Texans |
| 2020 | 2 | Grant Delpit | S | Browns |
| 2020 | 2 | Kristian Fulton | CB | Titans |
| 2021 | 2 | Terrace Marshall Jr. | WR | Panthers |
| 2022 | 2 | Ed Ingram | G | Vikings |
| 2020 | 3 | Damien Lewis | G | Seahawks |
| 2020 | 3 | Lloyd Cushenberry | C | Broncos |
| 2020 | 3 | Jacob Phillips | LB | Browns |
| 2022 | 3 | Cordale Flott | CB | Giants |
| 2022 | 3 | Tyrion Davis-Price | RB | 49ers |
| 2020 | 4 | Saahdiq Charles | T | Commanders |
| 2020 | 4 | Rashard Lawrence | DT | Cardinals |
| 2021 | 4 | Tyler Shelvin | DT | Bengals |
| 2022 | 4 | Cade York | K | Browns |
| 2022 | 4 | Neil Farrell | DT | Raiders |
| 2022 | 5 | Damone Clark | LB | Cowboys |
| 2020 | 6 | Blake Ferguson | LS | Dolphins |
| 2021 | 6 | Racey McMath | WR | Titans |
| 2021 | 6 | JaCoby Stevens | S | Eagles |
| 2022 | 6 | Austin Deculus | T | Texans |
| 2022 | 6 | Chasen Hines | G | Patriots |
| 2020 | 7 | Stephen Sullivan | TE | Seahawks |
| 2021 | 7 | Kary Vincent Jr. | CB | Broncos |
| 2022 | 7 | Andre Anthony | DE | Buccaneers |
Amazing skill-position talent
What might stand out most from the game is the ridiculous skill-position on both sides. Joe Burrow led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance in his second season with the help of Chase, who won AP NFL Rookie of the Year honors last season. Minnesota receiver Justin Jefferson and Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire also were first-round picks, and Terrace Marshall is in his second season with the Carolina Panthers.
Alabama had Tagovailoa, who has led Miami off to a quick start under first-year coach Mike McDaniel. Jaylen Waddle, one of his favorite targets, was the fourth receiver behind Denver’s Jerry Jeudy, Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs IV. Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris was the running back. All of those players were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft from 2020-22.
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Joe Burrow vs. Tua Tagovailoa rematch
Burrow and Tagovailoa put on a show in that legendary Alabama-LSU matchup in 2019. Burrow finished 31 of 39 passing for 393 yards and three TDs. That was the signature performance in his Heisman Trophy season, and the Tigers beat Clemson 42-25 to cap off the perfect season.
Tagovailoa finished 21 of 40 for 418 yards, four TDs and an interception. He suffered a dislocated hip the following week against Mississippi State, which ended a banner college career.
Burrow was selected No. 1 in the 2020 NFL Draft, and Tagovailoa followed four picks later. This will be their first matchup since college, too.
Chances are Alabama and LSU fans will be watching closely.
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