2012 NFL Draft gets first-round talent with Alabama juniors

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2012 12:49 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

As expected, Alabama three best juniors — middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and running back Trent Richardson — are headed to the NFL following a national championship win.

Sources tell TideSports.com that the trio will announce their decision at a news conference later today.

Richardson immediately becomes the best running back in this year's draft and could get picked in the top 10. He's a strong runner with good speed on the second level.

This season, Richardson ran for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Richardson is also dangerous in the passing game, especially on wheel routes. This season he caught 29 passes for 338 yards and three more scores.

Kirkpatrick is also a legit top 10 talent. He's a big, physical corner and a sure tackler. Kirkpatrick is at his best when he can jam at the line of scrimmage and turn and run with receivers. If nothing else, his stats this season (zero interceptions, nine pass breakups) prove that teams chose to not throw in his direction this season.

Hightower should be a first-round pick as well after Notre Dame's Manti Te'o decided to return for his senior season. He's a plug and play rookie starter on the inside. His agility and athleticism is underrated, as evidenced by the plays where Alabama lines him up as a defensive end to pass rush.

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At 6-3½, 260 (add 10-15 lbs. transitioning to the NFL) he sounds a lot more like a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE prospect than a plug-and-play LB.

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by ChaosOnion on Jan 12, 2012 1:09 PM EST reply actions

So you’re basing that on size alone?

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

He is a SILB prospect

Upshaw is the OLB/DE

I don't start arguments, I provoke thinking. -Me
Alameda Ta’amu NT/DE 2012 Draftee

by BAMFSpecialOps on Jan 12, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Hightower is used all over the place, but yes, mainly at SILB.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Hightower

Do you see him as athletic enough to play SOLB in a 4-3? I would imagine teams that run both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts would love it if he could fit both schemes. Buffalo in particular could benefit from a 4-3 SOLB and 3-4 SILB, as could the Ravens. Is Hightower that guy? Chances he slips to the 2nd?

by astrazz2 on Jan 12, 2012 1:24 PM EST reply actions

Chances he slips to the 2nd?

If he pulls a Spikes, and runs slooooooooooooooooooooooowlyyyyyyyyyyyy

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 12, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Probably this.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Jan 12, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

He is not even close to as slow as Spikes

He played 2010 hurt. Slowed him down. He was noticeably faster this year. He and Upshaw get questioned on their athleticism, but a speedy LSU team got no one around the corner Monday night.

by ct17 on Jan 12, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions