Clint Lamb
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The much-anticipated matchup between Alabama and LSU back in 2019 was once given the “Game of the Century” moniker. That showdown was so hyped that even former President Donald J. Trump was in attendance.
At one point, the Tigers had a three-score lead, and it looked like that labeling was premature. But the second half was a different story, as the Crimson Tide clawed its way back and almost pulled off a victory. LSU ultimately won the 46-41 thriller, and the rest is history.
At the time, we all knew there was a lot of talent on the field. Alabama and LSU consistently have contending programs, but that season was special — especially for the Tigers. Something was recently pointed out by OuKick founder Clay Travis that is absolutely mind-blowing.
There were 17 future first-round picks with starting positions in that game — and that’s just so far. Take a look at what Clay discovered here.
Alabama (9)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Quarterback
- Najee Harris, Running Back
- Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver
- DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver
- Henry Ruggs III, Wide Receiver
- Jerry Jeudy, Wide Receiver
- Jedrick Wills Jr., Offensive Tackle
- Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Tackle
- Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback
- Mac Jones, Holder
LSU (6)
- Joe Burrow, Quarterback
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Running Back
- Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver
- Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver
- K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge Player
- Patrick Queen, Linebacker
And folks, that’s just first-round picks.
That number doesn’t include the guys taken on Day 2 such as Xavier McKinney, Trevon Diggs, Raekwon Davis, Terrell Lewis and others for Alabama. It also doesn’t include the players such as Kristian Fulton, Grant Delpit and Terrace Marshall for LSU.
To go a step further, there will be more first-round picks added to that list in the future. Guys like Evan Neal, Derek Stingley Jr. and maybe Christian Harris will make sure of that.
We knew we had it good back then, but I don’t think we fully appreciate what we were watching. It was historic.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
Amazing
To my eye, LSU 2019 is the best college team I’ve ever witnessed. Alabama 2020 made its case too, but 2019 version of Burrow bests either of the last two Alabama QB’s. Or just about any CFB QB I’ve seen for one season.
It is a wild dynamic, but the 2020 bama o-line (every bama line) makes their QB”s so much better whereas that 2019 LSU o-line was not nearly as good as any of them. Burrow and his assassin’s row of skill players made that o-line look so much better. I know they won the Joe Moore Award, but that was at the hands of all the skill players consistently torching defenses.