NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 draft prospects from Alabama Football
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama football has a good number of prospects in this year's NFL Draft. Here's a look at some of their top talent.
The Alabama Crimson Tide couldn't get a stop on the last play in their rematch against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Although they didn't repeat as National Champions, they didn't lose a game until their last game of 2016. As a result, they have a talented group of players entering the NFL Draft.
While only three underclassmen entered their name in the draft, the Crimson Tide still have a good number of seniors in the mix to hear their name called on April 27. A lot of those seniors are off Alabama's highly-rated defense from a season ago.
The Crimson Tide have a realistic chance to break the Miami Hurricanes record of six players drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2004. Last year, Alabama had seven total players drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. In this year's draft, they could rewrite a lot of records with a strong first round.
Although some players like safety Eddie Jackson or defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, it does show the depth the Crimson Tide have on both sides of the ball.
Here's a look at the top picks from Alabama in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) works at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Robinson
OT, Alabama
Cam Robinson is an offensive tackle prospect with a lot of NFL talent. He was a three-year starter in Tuscaloosa before entering his name in this year's draft.
Robinson started all 44 games of his career at right tackle for Alabama. He was a first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC selection and the Outland Trophy winner this past season. He was an instant impact player the moment he stepped on campus as a true freshman in 2014.
Cam Robinson (Alabama) vs. Texas A&M (2016). people down on Robinson. It's not because of what he does on the field https://t.co/V19YRc538F
— The Sports Geek (@scoutonthecouch) March 2, 2017
Since then, he's held on to the starting job in 2015 and 2016. Robinson has a few off-the-field issues to keep in order but he remained out of trouble during the Crimson Tide's run to the National Title game.
Robinson is hoping to leave his trouble in the past and move as he's voiced in interviews at the NFL Combine. He hopes to fill a need somewhere on an NFL roster and possible crack the starting lineup. He's currently projected to be a first round pick.
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Marlon Humphrey
CB, Alabama
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey used 2015 and 2016 to make a lot of noise. He's another early draft entry from the Crimson Tide. The young cornerback makes up a deep class of defensive backs in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Humphrey earned freshman All-American honors in 2015 and first-team All-American honors in 2016. He tallied 81 total tackles, 13 pass breakups, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and an interception return touchdown in the past two seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama CB Marlon Humphrey | Mirror Abilities https://t.co/4kC65rIP5k
— Cover 1 (@Cover1Bills) April 20, 2017
Humphrey recorded an interception return for a touchdown in the team's season opener over the USC Trojans and seemingly never looked back. He made his presence felt all season long in the Crimson Tide's secondary.
He has shown he can hang with the big boys in the SEC, but the NFL is a whole nother level. Humphrey will have a lot to learn but he's still one of the top prospects from the University of Alabama. He's currently projected to be a first round pick.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Reuben Foster
LB, Alabama
Linebacker Reuben Foster had a strong 2016 season before graduating from the Alabama Crimson Tide defense. Foster won the Dick Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker, for his performance last season.
He racked up 115 total tackles (60 solo, 55 assisted), 13.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and 2 pass breakups in 2016. He was also a first-team All-American on a defense that allowed 261.8 total yards per game.
Developing: Projected 1sr rounder Reuben Foster reportedly failed drug test at combine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T5m4t6xR2g
— SportsOverEverything (@SportsOverEvery) April 20, 2017
However, it's been a tough road since Foster's left the Alabama campus. At the NFL Combine, he was sent home early due to an altercation with hospital staff. Since then, reports have been released saying Foster also failed a drug test at the combine.
Foster very well could free-fall in the NFL Draft at this point but fans will have to wait and see. It will be interesting to see where he ends up or if any of the issues off-the-field affect his draft status. He's currently projected to be a first round pick.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs a touchdown ahead of Clemson Tigers safety Van Smith (23) during the third quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
O.J. Howard
TE, Alabama
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard didn't have the season finale that put his name on the map last season. But he still did enough to get noticed as one of the top receiving tight ends in college football.
Howard had 45 catches for 595 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2016. In 2015, he had 38 catches for 602 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He had a coming out party against the Clemson Tigers in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game with five catches for 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
OJ Howard gif thread. Such a polished prospect. It will be interesting to see how the team that drafts him utilizes his skill set. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Tl8v7XtvLx
— Jake Anderson (@nfldrafttalker) April 16, 2017
In the National Championship game this past season, he had four catches for 106 receiving yards and a touchdown. Still proving to be a solid target in the passing game.
Howard is a 6-foot-6 and 251-pound tight end prospect with speed in open space but enough size to be a solid blocker. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, second among tight ends. He also bench pressed 225-pounds 22 times, which tied for third with South Alabama's Gerald Everett. Howard is currently projected to be a first round pick.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) reacts during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Allen
DE, Alabama
Defensive end Jonathan Allen racked up the awards in his final season with the Crimson Tide defense. He was the 2016 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Chuck Bednarik, Bronco Nagurski and Ted Hendricks Award for his stellar play. At 6-foot-3 and 286-pounds, Allen is the Crimson Tide's top prospect in this year's NFL Draft.
Allen had 69 total tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and an impressive 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Texas A&M back on Oct. 22. He earned first-team All-SEC honors for his play again after earning the same nod in his junior season. He had 15 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his first season as starter in 2015.
Allen has put off a lot of concerns about his shoulder, which shouldn't deter teams. He's played in 29 of Alabama's last 30 games as the starter. Not bad for a defensive end in the SEC. Allen is currently projected to be a top five pick.
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