Clemson vs. Alabama: The names to know

Arguably the greatest college football coach ever, Saban has won five National Championships, four at Alabama. He's looking to make it back-to-back titles for the Crimson Tide.

Swinney's team returns to the College Football Playoff final for the second straight year. An Alabama alumnus, Swinney has been Clemson's head coach since 2008 with a career record of 88-28.

The former head coach at Washington and USC, Sarkisian will take over offensive play calling for the Crimson Tide in the title game after Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban parted ways. Sarkisian was already slated to take over offensive coordinator duties next season and was hired as an offensive analyst earlier this season.

Pruitt is in his first year as defensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide after coming over from Georgia last season. His unit has allowed the fewest points per game in college football this season.

A perennial head coaching candidate, Venables has been Clemson's defensive coordinator since 2012. Prior to that time, he was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

Alabama's true freshman quarterback is having a brilliant season, throwing for 2,620 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also has 891 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as a rusher.

Clemson's junior quarterback will play in his second consecutive College Football Playoff final and likely his last college game before he enters the NFL Draft. Watson threw for 4,173 yards and 38 touchdowns, adding eight rushing scores.

Scarbrough has really come on late in the year as Alabama's top running back. The sophomore has 719 rushing yards and nine scores, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Gallman's workload has diminished in his junior season, but he's still rushed for 1,087 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Tigers. The junior could opt to enter the NFL Draft after the season.

Harris is Alabama's leading rusher, though he's lost carries to Bo Scarbrough late in the year. He has 1,013 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry in his sophomore season.

Clemson's backup running back, Fuller had 46 carries for 208 yards in his sophomore season.

Alabama's primary kick returner and receiving yardage leader this season, Stewart had 52 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 games.

Arguably the top wide receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft class, Williams is having a huge year after missing most of last season with a neck injury. He has 90 receptions for 1,267 yards and 10 scores for the Tigers.

The speedy Ridley hasn't been quite as productive as his freshman season, with 66 receptions for 740 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has one touchdown on the ground.

Cain had another productive year for the Tigers in his sophomore season. He had 33 receptions for 630 yard and nine touchdowns.

A transfer from Bowling Green, Dieter has scored on four of his 15 receptions this season. He was a top wide receiver at Bowling Green last year, with 94 receptions for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Renfrow has 34 receptions for 403 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore season for Clemson.

A top NFL prospect at tight end, Howard has 41 receptions for 489 yards and two touchdowns in his senior season. He could be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Leggett is Clemson's second-leading receiver with 39 receptions for 641 yards and seven touchdowns in only 12 games in his senior season.

A sporadic contributor in his freshman season, Diggs has 11 receptions for 88 yards. He's contributed mostly on punt returns.

An excellent hands receiver, Scott has 73 receptions for 608 yards and five touchdowns in his junior season for Clemson. He also has been a huge contributor on kick returns.

Alabama's best offensive lineman, Robinson is the team's starting left tackle. He could be the first offensive lineman drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft.

McCloud has had his share of big games for the Tigers this season and has 49 receptions for 472 yards and two scores. He's also had 21 punt returns this season.

Alabama's senior kicker has made 20-of-27 field goal attempts and 62-of-62 extra point attempts this season.

After making 27-of-32 field goal attempts in his freshman season, Huegel has converted 14-of-19 field goal attempts this year. He's also made 66-of-68 extra point attempts.

Scott has a very impressive 47.4 punt average in his junior season for the Crimson Tide over 54 punts.

Now in his senior season, Teasdall has averaged 38.0 yards per punt this season over 53 punts.

Possibly the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Allen has had a dominant senior season. He has 62 tackles, 15 for loss, and 9.5 sacks.

Watkins has been Clemson's top pass rusher in his senior season. The defensive tackle has 44 tackles and 10.5 sacks.

A likely first-round pick in the NFL Draft, Anderson has 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his senior season. He also has one pick-six.

Lawrence has been a ferocious pass rusher with 6.5 sacks in 13 games in his freshman season at defensive tackle for the Tigers.

Alabama's leading tackler this season, Foster has tallied 103 tackles and four sacks in his senior season. He's a likely early first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

Ferrell has had a big freshman season at defensive end for the Tigers with 43 tackles and six sacks.

Widely considered a likely first-round pick, Williams has nine sacks and 29 tackles in his senior season at linebacker for the Crimson Tide.

Clemson's leading tackler, Boulware has been a playmaker all year for the Tigers with 110 tackles, four sacks, one pick and one fumble recovery in his senior season.

Harrison ranks second in tackles on the Crimson Tide defense in only his sophomore season. He also has two picks and two fumble recoveries as one of Alabama's top defensive backs.

Joseph has reached the century mark in tackles in his first season as a starting linebacker for Clemson. The sophomore also has 3.5 sacks.

Fitzpatrick has been a ball hawk in the Crimson Tide secondary this season with six interceptions and seven passes defensed. He's scored twice and also has 62 tackles in his sophomore season.

Smith leads the Tigers in solo tackles and has 93 total tackles at safety. He also has two interceptions in his sophomore season.

A lock-down cornerback for the Crimson Tide, Humphrey has two picks and one touchdown in his sophomore season.

Tankersley returned to Clemson for his senior season and has had another big year at cornerback. He has four interceptions and 47 tackles in 12 games.

Averett has been a solid player in the Alabama secondary during his junior season with 37 tackles and one sack.

Johnson leads the Tigers with five interceptions this season at safety. The senior also has 53 tackles on the year.