For two decades the Patriots have been the dominant dynasty in the NFL under Bill Belichick.
For more than a decade Belichick's former assistant and longtime friend Nick Saban has built a similar dynasty in college football at Alabama.
The two legendary coaches and programs certainly share plenty of similarities. That fact was noted Thursday afternoon at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine by Alabama running back Damien Harris.
Though the Patriots may not be in the market for a high-end running back a year after selecting Sony Michel in the first round – the 5-10, 215 Harris is projected as a possible second-round pick after a career with the tide that included a pair of 1,000-yard seasons and a 6.4-yard average over four years of action – the well-spoken prospect would be very much open to a job in Foxborough.
"The Patriots are obviously a great organization. People like to compare them to us," Harris said. "Coach Belichick and Coach Saban, everybody knows they're great friends. People like to think they run their programs the same, so that would be an easy fit for any guy that's come out of Alabama. It would be an easy transition, so I don't know. Hopefully I get a chance to meet with them just like all the other 31 teams."
The last player the Patriots drafted out of Alabama was cornerback/punt returner Cyrus Jones in the second round in 2016. New England has also taken Brandon Deaderick, Dont'a Hightower, Xzavier Dickson from the Tide during Saban's tenure.
