Alabama football: Crimson Tide expected to lose linebacker to NFL Draft

Alabama football: Crimson Tide expected to lose star linebacker to NFL Draft

By Ethan Lee | Jan 16, 2022

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: Christian Harris #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his sack with Henry To'oTo'o #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Nick Saban might be losing a talented member of his Alabama football program as a remarkable linebacker is apparently looking at heading to the NFL Draft.

As is tradition for the Alabama football program this time of year, it looks the Crimson Tide will be losing some remarkable talent to the NFL Draft. One notable player who is expected to move on is linebacker Christian Harris.

According to a tweet from On3’s Matt Zenitz, Harris is expected to go pro and leave the Crimson Tide.

The expectation continues to be that Alabama junior linebacker Christian Harris will end up turning pro, sources tell @on3sports.

Potential first-round pick who’s viewed by scouts as a Day 2 pick at worst. Finished the year with 79 tackles and 5.5 sacks.https://t.co/D50aDjyID4
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2022

Alabama head coach Nick Saban routinely recruits highly-touted stars, develops them, and then puts them in the best possible position to succeed at the next level. It looks like Harris might believe he’s ready to leave the college game behind and move on the NFL. With how talented he is, he’ll have a pretty good opportunity to succeed at the next level.

Alabama football: Star linebacker expected to leave Crimson Tide for NFL Draft

Harris was dominant during his time in Tuscaloosa. During his three seasons with Alabama, Harris racked up 220 tackles and 26 tackles for loss. Harris also recorded 10 sacks with 5.5 of those being recorded in 2021.

Losing someone as talented as Harris would be devastating for most programs, but Alabama isn’t most programs. While not having Harris would hurt the Crimson Tide’s vaunted defense, Saban recruits talent like few others are able to.

If any team is equipped and built to be able to continue succeeding even after someone like Harris moves on, it’s Alabama.

Now, Harris will get the opportunity of a lifetime as he could end up being drafted in the first round. That comes with a pretty nice payday and probably improves his chance of landing some pretty nice endorsement deals.

Of course, even if Harris ends up getting selected in the second round, he’ll still be making more money than he was in Tuscaloosa.

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