Alabama Crimson Tide continues to show that they have other programs beat in an area that will only help its recruiting efforts

The only program sending more players to the combine this year is the Texas A&M Aggies with 13. Even in the world of NIL and transfer portal, what most recruits want, and certainly the families and advisors of said recruits, is the best path towards the NFL.

When Saban was coaching, South Florida DBs flocked to Tuscaloosa because they knew if they started under Saban, they were a lock to make the league. Now, we are seeing that same thing under Kalen DeBoer, but on the offensive side of the ball.

If you start along the offensive line, make plays as a skill player, and are under center for a DeBoer-led offense, you're all but assured a long look in the pre-draft process. With the evolution of not only college football, but Alabama, that bodes well for players like Austin Mack, Keelon Russell,Ryan Williams, and of course, the recruiting classes down the road.

So even though the greatest to ever do it hung up his whistle a few years ago, the pipeline to the NFL remains strong in Tuscaloosa.