​​While some may disagree, it is fairly apparent that Alabama and Georgia are the premier college football programs in the country right now. After all, they have combined to win four of the past six national titles, have set up permanent residence in the top 10 of the AP/College Football Playoff rankings, and produce a respectable portion of the top talent at the NFL draft year in and year out.

That last point intrigues me. We as fans have heard all about Georgia and Alabama’s success in producing NFL talent in recent years, with Georgia holding the record for most players picked in one draft (15 selected in 2022) and the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide tying for the schools with the most players picked in the 2023 NFL Draft (10).

How has that collegiate talent translated to the NFL? Both programs have garnered respect from coaching staffs and scouts alike with how NFL-ready their prospects are, and the list of current and former pros from the two schools is one of high prestige.

It got me thinking. With all of the draft picks these schools have had in recent years, could you form a full roster of NFL players for each? The answer was yes, and here are my findings on whether they would be a quality NFL team, as well as who would win in a matchup:

Georgia Bulldogs

Offense:

QB: Matthew Stafford (LAR)

RB: Nick Chubb (CLE)
WR: George Pickens (PIT)
WR: Mecole Hardman (NYJ)
WR: Isaiah McKenzie (IND)

TE: Darnell Washington (PIT, Rookie)
OT: Andrew Thomas (NYG)

OG: Ben Cleveland (BAL)
C: David Andrews (NE)

OG: Justin Shaffer (ATL)
OT: Broderick Jones (PIT, Rookie)

Defense:

DE: Jonathan Ledbetter (ARI)
DT: Jalen Carter (PHI, Rookie)
DT: Jordan Davis (PHI)
DE: Devonte Wyatt (GB)
LB: Roquan Smith (BAL)
LB: Nakobe Dean (PHI)
LB: Quay Walker (GB)

CB: Eric Stokes (GB)
S: Richard LeCounte III (LAR)
S: Mark Webb (LAC)
CB: Tyson Campbell (JAX)

As expected, the defensive side of the ball is loaded here. Picking the linebackers was incredibly difficult, as you could potentially make a case for Lorenzo Carter and Travon Walker to be among the group. That just speaks on the depth that Georgia produces at the position and what the standard is for that group each season.

Up front, the duo of Carter and Davis would ravage opposing offensive lines, but the pass rush may be weaker in comparison. The secondary would be sound albeit not overly experienced, especially at safety.

The duo of Stafford and Chubb in the backfield would be one that Bulldogs fans have dreamed for, and they would pair well given the offensive play styles they are accustomed to working within. Pickens would have to carry a heavy burden in the wideout corps, but if Washington pans out, that would really help the team’s efforts out wide.

All in all, Georgia has an NFL-caliber roster…it just would not be the strongest. Question marks at safety and wide receiver may end up holding the team back, although they would almost certainly win any battle in the trenches. This looks like a six-to-seven-win team in the NFL in my eyes.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Offense:

QB: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)

RB: Derrick Henry (TEN)
WR: Amari Cooper (CLE)
WR: Jaylen Waddle (MIA)

WR: DeVonta Smith (PHI)

TE: Irv Smith Jr. (CIN)
OT: Alex Leatherwood (CHI)
OG: Landon Dickerson (PHI)
C: Ryan Kelly (IND)
OG: Lester Cotton (MIA)
OT: Evan Neal (NYG)

Defense:

DE: Will Anderson Jr. (HOU, Rookie)
DT: Quinnen Williams (NYJ)
DT: Jonathan Allen (WAS)
DE: Jarran Reed (SEA)
LB: C.J. Mosley (NYJ)
LB: Christian Harris (HOU)
LB: Terrell Lewis (CHI)

CB: Marlon Humphrey (BAL)
S: Eddie Jackson (CHI)

S: Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT)
CB: Patrick Surtain II (DEN)

As impressed as I was with Georgia’s roster, there is nothing that can come close to what ‘Bama could field in the NFL right now. The pure amount of depth the Tide have at some positions is absolutely absurd, and it starts at the wide receiver spot. Those three starters do not include the likes of Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley or Jameson Williams, and John Metchie III is also a potential star down the line.

Next up is running back, where Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, Damien Harris and Jahmyr Gibbs back up Derrick Henry in the most intimidating running back room you have ever seen. Leaving Trevon Diggs out of the cornerback duo was difficult to do, and the likes of Daron Payne and Christian Barmore did not make the cut at defensive tackle. 

It’s hard to pinpoint a weak spot on this roster, and I’m firmly convinced that this is a playoff team in the NFL if it truly existed. Nick Saban, you are a wizard.

So, who do you think comes out on top in a game between the pro versions of Georgia and Alabama? Leave your answer in the comments.

I’ll give the Crimson Tide a moderate edge by a score of 42-24. At the end of the day, while Georgia may be able to make up some ground in the trenches, the Bulldogs do not have the depth across the board to contain Alabama’s countless threats at the skill positions. UGA’s best option in this hypothetical matchup would be to ground-and-pound with Chubb and keep the ball out of Tua and Co.’s hands. Unfortunately, I don’t envision Stafford being able to muster enough through the air against that vaunted secondary to keep pace with Alabama’s offense.

In the end, the main takeaway is this: despite their recent success at the collegiate level, Kirby Smart and Georgia are still three-to-four years away from matching Saban and Alabama’s immense presence in the pro ranks.