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

Contributor
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: 

YEARROUNDPLAYER POSITIONTEAM
20201Tua TagovailoaQBDolphins
20201Jedrick WillsTBrowns
20201Henry Ruggs IVWRRaiders
20201Jerry JeudyWRBroncos
20211Jaylen WaddleWRDolphins
20211Patrick Surtain Jr.CBBroncos
20211DeVonta SmithWREagles
20211Mac JonesQBPatriots
20211Alex LeatherwoodTRaiders
20211Najee HarrisRBAlabama
20221Evan NealTGiants
20202Xavier McKinneySGiants
20202Trevon DiggsCBCowboys
20202Raekwon DavisDTDolphins
20212Landon DickersonCEagles
20212Christian BarmoreDTPatriots
20222John Metchie IIIWRTexans
20222Phidarian MathisDTCommanders
20203Terrell LewisLBRams
20203Anfernee JenningsLBPatriots
20223Christian HarrisLBTexans
20223Brian Robinson Jr.RBCommanders
20224Jalyn Armour-DavisCBRavens
20216Deonte BrownGPanthers
20216Thomas FletcherLSPanthers

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: 

YEARROUNDPLAYERPOSTEAM
20201Joe BurrowQBBengals
20201K'Lavon ChaissonLBJaguars
20201Justin JeffersonWRVikings
20201Patrick QueenLBRavens
20201Clyde Edwards-HelaireRBChiefs
20211Ja'Marr ChaseWRBengals
20221Derek Stingley Jr.CBTexans
20202Grant DelpitSBrowns
20202Kristian FultonCBTitans
20212Terrace Marshall Jr.WRPanthers
20222Ed IngramGVikings
20203Damien LewisGSeahawks
20203Lloyd CushenberryCBroncos
20203Jacob PhillipsLBBrowns
20223Cordale FlottCBGiants
20223Tyrion Davis-PriceRB49ers
20204Saahdiq CharlesTCommanders
20204Rashard LawrenceDT Cardinals
20214Tyler ShelvinDTBengals
20224Cade YorkKBrowns
20224Neil FarrellDTRaiders
20225Damone ClarkLBCowboys
20206Blake FergusonLSDolphins
20216Racey McMathWRTitans
20216JaCoby StevensSEagles
20226Austin DeculusTTexans
20226Chasen HinesGPatriots
20207Stephen SullivanTESeahawks
20217Kary Vincent Jr.CBBroncos
20227Andre AnthonyDEBuccaneers

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.