Revisiting the epic 2019 LSU vs. Alabama game featuring Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and an absurd collection of NFL players

Bill Bender

Revisiting the epic 2019 LSU vs. Alabama game featuring Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and an absurd collection of NFL players image

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 first two 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: 

MORE: How Joe Burrow supplanted Tua Tagovailoa as 2020 NFL Draft's top prize

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.  

MORE: Where Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle rank among NFL's best WR duos

2019 LSU players in the NFL

Joe Burrow
Getty Images

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.

MORE: Jaylen Waddle's fun TD dance takes NFL by storm

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.

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.