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Nick Saban's imprint evident in upcoming NFL playoffs

While he isn’t coaching in the National Football League, it’s hard to ignore Nick Saban’s impact in the upcoming NFL playoffs. The long-time mentor who recently announced his resignation from the Alabama Crimson Tide coaching post will have 36 former players from 13 NFL teams participating in the quest for a Super Bowl title.

The Philadelphia Eagles will have the most number of Saban’s former players with seven, the most notable of which is quarterback Jalen Hurts, who played for Alabama before moving to Oklahoma as a graduate transfer. There’s also wide receiver DeVonta Smith, one of four players to win the Heisman Trophy during Saban’s tenure with the Crimson Tide.

Other Eagles players who have played for Saban are five-time All-Pro wideout Julio Jones, two-time Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson, cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks, and guard Tyler Steen.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans are tied with five former Alabama players. The Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Lester Cotton, Raekwon Davis, and Da’Shawn Hand.

Conversely, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. banners the list of players who have suited up for Nick Saban. John Metchie III, Henry To’oto’o, Kareem Jackson, and Christian Harris are joining him.

Five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper leads the Cleveland Browns players who have donned the Crimson Tide uniform. Joining him are Dalvin Tomlinson, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Alex Leatherwood.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (Minkah Fitzpatrick, Najee Harris, Levi Wallace) and the Detroit Lions (Brian Branch, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams) have three apiece. The Baltimore Ravens (Marlon Humphrey, Jalyn Armour-Davis) and the Los Angeles Rams (Miller Forristall, Carson Tinker) have two each.

Finally, the Green Bay Packers (Kenyan Drake), Buffalo Bills (Damien Harris), Dallas Cowboys (Trevon Diggs), Kansas City Chiefs (Isaiah Buggs), and San Francisco 49ers (Cameron Latu) have one player whom Nick Saban has coached. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only playoff team with a player that Saban has mentored.

Nick Saban announced his retirement after their 2024 Rose Bowl loss to eventual National Champions Michigan Wolverines. He has seven national titles, one at LSU and six at Alabama. He has also won 11 Southeast Conference championships, five SEC Coach of the Year awards, two Associated Press Coach of the Year honors, and two Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards.

Meanwhile, the NFL playoffs will start as the Texans host the Browns on January 13th at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Chiefs will face the Dolphins on the same day at 8 p.m. ET.

-Lance Fernandez

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