Alabama Breaks Own NFL Draft Record with 12 Players Picked in 2018

A year ago, Alabama tied a school record when 10 Crimson Tide players were selected in the NFL draft.

Nick Saban and Co. have now bested that, shattering their record with 12 players selected in the 2018 class. The first of the dozen was selected Thursday night when the Miami Dolphins took safety Minkah Fitzpatrick with the No. 11 overall selection. The last was picked Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers took defensive tackle Joshua Frazier at No. 246.

"He's phenomenal. He does it every day. I've heard guys say they save it for the game and they aren't worth a s--t," Saban told reporters when discussing Fitzpatrick before the draft.

Along with Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne (No. 13, Washington), linebacker Rashaan Evans (No. 22, Tennessee Titans) and wide receiver Calvin Ridley (No. 26, Atlanta Falcons) were selected in the first round.

Alabama joined Miami as the only university in history to have a first-round pick for at least 10 straight drafts. The Hurricanes have a first rounder for 14 consecutive drafts from 1995 to 2008.

It's not hard to see how Alabama wound up with these records. The Tide pull in 5-star recruits in their sleep at this point and develop talent for the NFL as good as any team in the country—aside from the quarterback position. Their athletes are top-notch at every skill position, their linemen are maulers and their defensive players are coached by the best defensive mind of this generation.

Now Saban will have this record-setting performance to pitch anytime he's in the home of a recruit.