Super Bowl LIX will feature a rematch two years in the making, as the Philadelphia Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Six former Alabama players, all of whom are with the Eagles, will represent the Crimson Tide.
Jalen Hurts, quarterback
Hurts is in his fourth season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback. Football fans often debate whether Alabama should be able to claim him as a representative of the Crimson Tide since he was drafted out of Oklahoma.
“Oh, he’s Bama bred,” former Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “I’m going to still always consider him one of us.”
In college, Hurts led Alabama to a national championship berth in the 2016-17 season. He led Alabama to another national championship in the 2017-18 season, but he was replaced at halftime by true freshman Tua Tagovailoa, who helped Alabama win and claim its second College Football Playoff trophy.
The starting job belonged to Tagovailoa from then on, but Hurts stayed at Alabama as a backup until graduating.
Hurts replaced an injured Tagovailoa in the 2018 SEC championship game, leading Alabama to victory. He proved he was good enough to be a starting quarterback, so in 2019, he put down one crimson jersey and picked up another.
“You need to go to Oklahoma,” Saban said when Hurts consulted him about where he should transfer, adding that then Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley was the best coach at the time to develop Hurts as a quarterback.
In his only season with the program, Hurts led Oklahoma to a College Football Playoff appearance.
Despite leaving Alabama for Oklahoma, Hurts showcases love for each school. He wore a custom-made helmet in the Senior Bowl representing both schools, and uses the phrase “Roll Sooners” in his Sunday Night Football introduction.
“It has been a true journey,” Hurts said. “I think the beautiful part about it is the journey is just beginning.”
The Eagles drafted Hurts with the 53rd pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and in 2023, the City of Brotherly Love was back in the Super Bowl.
In Super Bowl LVII, Hurts threw for 304 yards and was responsible for four touchdowns. He and the Eagles were moments away from the Lombardi Trophy, but the Chiefs kicked a field goal as time expired to win the game.
Now, Hurts gets another crack at the Chiefs, and he’s done something no other quarterback has done in NFL postseason history: Hurts has not thrown an interception in seven consecutive playoff games, an NFL record.
DeVonta Smith, wide receiver
Smith is the only Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama to ever reach the Super Bowl, and he looks to become the first one to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The two-time national champion was drafted 10th overall in the 2021 NFL draft by Philadelphia, reuniting with Hurts. This season, the duo of Hurts and Smith has connected on 76 passes for 909 yards and eight touchdowns.
“He’s always been about the grind and about the work,” Hurts said. “I’m excited to see him continue to progress.”
In Super Bowl LVII, Smith hauled in seven passes for 100 yards, a performance he hopes to replicate this Sunday.
Landon Dickerson, offensive lineman
Philadelphia selected Dickerson 37th overall in the 2021 NFL draft, and he has played a prominent role in transforming the Eagles offense into one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks this season, scoring 39 total rushing touchdowns across the regular season and playoffs.
Since the retirement of legendary center Jason Kelce, Dickerson has been the glue that has held the Eagles’ offensive line together.
He has been a utility player this season, alternating back and forth between guard and center based on team needs.
In last week’s NFC championship game versus the Commanders, Dickerson slid over to center, replacing injured starter Cam Jurgens, but later left the game with an undisclosed injury.
Dickerson is listed as questionable for Super Bowl LIX.
Tyler Steen, offensive lineman
The Eagles drafted Steen 65th in 2023, and he has been an important piece of the puzzle up front.
Steen has played in all 17 games this season for the Eagles, making two starts. In the NFC championship game, he made his first postseason start. If Dickerson or Jurgens are unavailable, Steen could start in the Super Bowl.
Byron Young, defensive lineman
Young was drafted in the third round by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2023 NFL draft. He was released in 2024 and picked up off of waivers by the Eagles in August.
His hamstring injury has kept him on the injured reserve list this season, so he will most likely not be ready to play in time for the Super Bowl.
Eli Ricks, defensive back
Ricks signed with the Eagles in 2023 as an undrafted free agent and has provided depth at the cornerback position. He has played in seven games this season and could potentially see some action in the Super Bowl if one of his teammates gets hurt or needs a breather.
Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles will be broadcast on FOX Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
