Saban-to-Belichick connection: Mac Jones becomes 11th Saban player to become a Patriot

They're two of the most successful coaches in football history, but it seems like Nick Saban led-teams have become pipelines for the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick.

With the Patriots selection of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, it became the 11th time Belichick drafted a player that played for Saban in college, extending the record for the most players taken by a pro-college coach combo in the draft era, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

The record began in 2000 when Saban was the head coach of Michigan State the season before, and then three were taken from when he was at LSU from 2000-2004. Six Alabama players have been drafted by New England since Saban became the head coach for the Crimson Tide in 2007, with one being taken in each of the past three drafts.

Here is a full list of Saban players drafted by New England:

2000- OT Greg Randall, Michigan State

2002- DE Jarvis Green, LSU

2002- QB Rohan Davey, LSU

2004- DE Marquise Hill, LSU

2010- DL Brandon Deaderick, Alabama

2012- LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

2016- LB Xzavier Dickson, Alabama

2016- CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama

2019- RB Damien Harris, Alabama

2020- LB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama

2021- QB Mac Jones, Alabama

Saban and Belichick have a long friendship together, which was featured in an HBO documentary. Saban was Belichick's defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1994.

Together, the two share seven national championships and eight Super Bowl victories. Of the 11 players, Hill, Hightower and Jones have won a national title and Super Bowl.

Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jord_mendoza.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mac Jones becomes 11th Nick Saban player drafted by Bill Belichick