Nick Saban appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday afternoon.

Saban has a unique perspective on this draft class, given that he spent the last couple of years game-planning for many of the players who will hear their names called on Thursday night.

According to Saban, 3 names standout as being the toughest for his Alabama team to plan for over the past couple of seasons.

“There were 3 players who we played against the last couple of years who were the most difficult players to play against,” Saban said on College GameDay. “Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers. Those 3 guys made a significant impact on the game, more than anyone else we played against.”

It should be no surprise to see Daniels on that list. He won the Heisman Trophy this past season, in-part because of his electric performance in a hard-fought loss to Alabama last November. Daniels threw for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 163 yards and another score on the ground. Daniels also had a 3-touchdown performance in a win over the Tide in 2022.

In 2023, Nabers had one of the best games of his career in a loss to the Crimson Tide. He caught 10 passes for 10 passes, 171 yards and a touchdown in that contest.

Bowers also proved to be a difficult cover for Alabama — and virtually everyone else in the SEC. In 2021, Bowers had 10 receptions — which was ultimately his career-high at UGA — as well as 139 yards and 1 touchdown in a loss to Alabama.

All 3 of those players are expected to be picked in the top half of the 1st round on Thursday night. Daniels could be selected as high as No. 2 overall while Nabers and Bowers are both potential top-10 picks. If you want to bet on the 2024 NFL Draft, you can do so with one of Saturday Down South’s top-ranked sports gambling apps.

The 2024 NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday evening.