Nick Saban Names 3 Toughest Players Alabama Faced In 2023

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26/04/2024 00:06

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs off the field at halftime during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Nick Saban's final year at Alabama may not have been the swan song he wanted, but leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship title and a record eighth College Football Playoff was a strong finish to his career regardless.

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, Saban has been looking back on some of the stars that his team faced last season. Per Tony Tsoukalas of Tide Illustrated, there were three that stood out to him as the best: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Nabers and Daniels gave Saban fits during Alabama's 42-28 win over the Tigers in November. Nabers had 171 of Daniels' 219 passing yards in that game, while Daniels also had a whopping 163 rushing yards on just 11 carries.

Bowers was also the hardest target for Alabama to defend during their SEC Championship Game win over the Bulldogs. He had five receptions for 53 yards in that game - both the highest on the team - as the Tide squeaked out a win over the two-time defending national champions.

Unsurprisingly, all three rank within the top two at their respective positions heading into tonight's NFL Draft.

Daniels is widely expected to be the second overall pick to the Washington Commanders, while Nabers could be the second or even the first wide receiver off the board. Bowers is going to be the top tight end taken though whether he'll go in the top 10 remains to be seen.

Was there anyone that Saban should have added to this list?