Alabama Football: Four players declare for NFL Draft after historic season

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be looking different as multiple players are set to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft

When a college team is good, that’s in large part due to the success of the younger talent. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the 2020 season will be one few fans will ever forget.

Next season in Tuscaloosa will look different following Thursday’s announcement.

Quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive tackle Christian Barmore all announced they would forgo their final season of eligibility and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide defeated Ohio State 52-24 on Monday night to claim their sixth title under Nick Saban.

All four names will be highly-regarded as first-round talent. The quartet will also join linebacker Dylan Moses, offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, center Landon Dickerson, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith in leaving the program.

The underclassmen could be top names to watch for in the draft

Jones shined in his one lone season as the Crimson Tide starting quarterback, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting. As the team’s frontman, the Jacksonville native set the school’s single-season passing record with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns through the air.

Jones capped off the historic season going 36-of-45 for 464 yards and five touchdowns against the Buckeyes, one more yard than former No.1 pick Joe Burrow.

Waddle missed most of the season due to a torn ACL. Most scouts are sure that his top-notch speed will make him a perfect addition in most offense’s looking for a vertical threat. He finishes his time with the program with 106 catches for 1,999 yards and 17 career touchdowns.

Surtain, the son of former Dolphins Pro Bowl defender Patrick Surtain, is considered by many to be the top cornerback in this year’s draft. His man coverage skills allowed the secondary to contain most offenses to a near three-touchdown differential per outing. In his final season, Surtain finished with nine pass deflections and an interception.

There might not be a name with a bigger rise than Barmore. In a weak defensive line class, the 310-pound defensive tackle prevailed against the run. Towards the end of the season, he became a more dangerous pass-rusher up the middle as well. Barmore tallied six sacks in his final six games, two coming against Ohio State’s Justin Fields.

Alabama won another national title to begin 2021. Several NFL teams will be winning with former Crimson Tide prospects by the middle of the year.

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