Alabama is loaded with future NFL players, and a few of them may even be future Pro Bowlers.
Right now, all they have on their mind is avenging their lone loss of the season to LSU in the BCS National Championship game on Monday.
Actually, Monday’s game may be the greatest collection of college talent on one field since the good ol’ days of the Miami Hurricanes.
So before you tune in Monday, here are five Alabama players you need to know a little more about. Check back tomorrow for LSU’s must-know players.
Trent Richardson, RB
It’s hard to find a running back with Richardson’s combination of speed and brute force.
He won the Doak Walker Award and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
His durability allowed him to rush for 1,583 yards, which was fifth best in the nation. He also had 23 touchdowns.
It’s a pretty safe bet that Richardson’s college career will come to an end no matter what happens on Monday against LSU. He’s considered a first-round lock and probably a top 15 pick.
Richardson makes the Alabama offense tick.
Courtney Upshaw, LB
Upshaw loves to punish opponents with his physical style. He’s also one of the best pass rushers in the nation.
He had 45 tackles with 8.5 sacks this season.
The 6-foot-2, 265-pounder, is one of the hardest hitters in the SEC, but it’s hard to notice because Alabama’s defense is loaded with talent.
Mark Barron, S
Speaking of defensive talent, Barron is another freakish talent for the Crimson Tide.
At 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, he can step up and make tackles like a linebacker. He also has the speed to cover good, but not great receivers.
Barron is another top NFL prospect for the Tide, and he just might be the best safety prospect in this year’s draft.
Barron was Alabama’s second-leading tackler this season with 66 tackles in 12 games. He also has four tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 2011.
Barrett Jones, OL
After two seasons at guard, Jones easily transitioned to tackle and won the Outland Trophy.
He actually surprised a lot of people by announcing he’ll return for his senior season, and Nick Saban will naturally utilize him to anchor his line.
Jones graduated with a 4.0 GPA and is already in graduate school.
He would have been a first-round pick in this year’s draft had he left early.
‘Dre Kirkpatrick, DB
At 6-3, 195 pounds, Kirkpatrick is a prototypical NFL cornerback. What he lacks in pure technique Kirkpatrick makes up for it on talent.
Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart puts Kirkpatrick on a team’s best receiver and since he runs 4.45 seconds in the 40, he can stay with almost any receiver.
Kirkpatrick is a special talent that should be a star at the next level.
