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1. DB Minkah Fitzpatrick**
Fitzpatrick has played meaningful minutes at three different positions in the Crimson Tide’s secondary in only two years on campus and will continue to do the same this fall as a junior. The former five-star recruit is versatile enough to play safety, corner or nickel on Nick Saban’s defense, and that will only help him at the next level as a top defensive back prospect.
2. DT Da'Ron Payne**
Payne is another player that saw the field immediately as a true freshman and has since been a constant along Alabama’s defensive line. As the team’s starting nose guard, Payne will look to prove to scouts and the casual fan that he can do much more than just clog running lanes, and a year as the Tide’s most-experienced defensive lineman should erase that stigma.
3. WR Calvin Ridley**
The final of the three star-studded underclassmen is Ridley. He, Fitzpatrick and Payne were all five-star recruits in Alabama’s 2015 signing class, and they’re arguably the three best NFL on the 2017-18 roster. A two-year starter, Ridley should be the next Crimson Tide wide receiver to make the jump to the league and see success, joining Julio Jones and Amari Cooper.
4. LB Rashaan Evans
CBS Sports’ No. 7 ILB
Finally, a senior. Evans is entering his final year of eligibility at Alabama, and it’s setting up to be his most-involved yet. The Auburn, Ala., native will man the middle linebacker spot left vacant by Reuben Foster, while also moving all over the field to get after the quarterback. Evans boasts a versatile skill set with speed to both rush the passer and be effective in coverage.
5. FS Ronnie Harrison**
Harrison is a player that could go either way, in terms of entering the NFL Draft or returning for his senior season. But as a two-year contributor, there’s no denying his ability and how it translates to the next level. The 2017 NFL Draft saw a record 56 defensive backs selected, and the hard-hitting centerfielder could be one of the top choices at his position in 2018.
6. DE Da'Shawn Hand
CBS Sports’ No. 2 DE
The former five-star recruit might not be at the top of teams’ boards this offseason, but in a year where he is expected to enter the starting lineup, the defensive end’s stock is set to rise prior to the 2018 NFL Draft. With three years in the program, Hand has added good weight and learned from a handful of first- and second-rounders. And he could very well be the next.
7. P JK Scott
CBS Sports’ No. 1 P
Zero punters were drafted this year, but that won’t be the case 365 days from now. Scott has been a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, and many knew he was destined for a long NFL career his very first college game. Boasting a 46.5-yard average, Scott could also add field goal kicking to his resume his season, as he handled the longer attempts this spring.
8. RB Bo Scarbrough**
If Scarbrough’s healthy, he could certainly test the NFL Draft waters following his junior season. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound running back was a one-man wrecking crew down the final stretch for Alabama, averaging more than five yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns in his final four games. Health is a concern, however, and that could ultimately sway his decision.
9. CB Anthony Averett
CBS Sports’ No. 3 CB
Averett quietly developed into the starting cornerback on the right side of the Tide defense in 2016, and entering his final year, he could be a true shutdown corner before his time is up in Tuscaloosa. The New Jersey native could climb into the top spot among seniors at his position by season’s end -- a group that saw 32 of its own selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
10. C Bradley Bozeman
CBS Sports’ No. 4 C
Rounding out the top-10 is a player that’s climbed from being asked to grayshirt before arriving on campus to a 17-game starter at the center position. Ahead of his redshirt senior season, Bozeman is now one of the leaders in the offensive line room and the anchor of the front five. He may not be a first-round pick, but Bozeman will be a solid pickup for any team.
Others receiving consideration: WR Robert Foster (CBS Sports’ No. 5 ILB), DB Tony Brown(No. 1 CB), LB Shaun Dion Hamilton (No. 2 ILB), LB Christian Miller** and DL Isaiah Buggs**.
Fitzpatrick has played meaningful minutes at three different positions in the Crimson Tide’s secondary in only two years on campus and will continue to do the same this fall as a junior. The former five-star recruit is versatile enough to play safety, corner or nickel on Nick Saban’s defense, and that will only help him at the next level as a top defensive back prospect.
2. DT Da'Ron Payne**
Payne is another player that saw the field immediately as a true freshman and has since been a constant along Alabama’s defensive line. As the team’s starting nose guard, Payne will look to prove to scouts and the casual fan that he can do much more than just clog running lanes, and a year as the Tide’s most-experienced defensive lineman should erase that stigma.
3. WR Calvin Ridley**
The final of the three star-studded underclassmen is Ridley. He, Fitzpatrick and Payne were all five-star recruits in Alabama’s 2015 signing class, and they’re arguably the three best NFL on the 2017-18 roster. A two-year starter, Ridley should be the next Crimson Tide wide receiver to make the jump to the league and see success, joining Julio Jones and Amari Cooper.
4. LB Rashaan Evans
CBS Sports’ No. 7 ILB
Finally, a senior. Evans is entering his final year of eligibility at Alabama, and it’s setting up to be his most-involved yet. The Auburn, Ala., native will man the middle linebacker spot left vacant by Reuben Foster, while also moving all over the field to get after the quarterback. Evans boasts a versatile skill set with speed to both rush the passer and be effective in coverage.
5. FS Ronnie Harrison**
Harrison is a player that could go either way, in terms of entering the NFL Draft or returning for his senior season. But as a two-year contributor, there’s no denying his ability and how it translates to the next level. The 2017 NFL Draft saw a record 56 defensive backs selected, and the hard-hitting centerfielder could be one of the top choices at his position in 2018.
6. DE Da'Shawn Hand
CBS Sports’ No. 2 DE
The former five-star recruit might not be at the top of teams’ boards this offseason, but in a year where he is expected to enter the starting lineup, the defensive end’s stock is set to rise prior to the 2018 NFL Draft. With three years in the program, Hand has added good weight and learned from a handful of first- and second-rounders. And he could very well be the next.
7. P JK Scott
CBS Sports’ No. 1 P
Zero punters were drafted this year, but that won’t be the case 365 days from now. Scott has been a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, and many knew he was destined for a long NFL career his very first college game. Boasting a 46.5-yard average, Scott could also add field goal kicking to his resume his season, as he handled the longer attempts this spring.
8. RB Bo Scarbrough**
If Scarbrough’s healthy, he could certainly test the NFL Draft waters following his junior season. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound running back was a one-man wrecking crew down the final stretch for Alabama, averaging more than five yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns in his final four games. Health is a concern, however, and that could ultimately sway his decision.
9. CB Anthony Averett
CBS Sports’ No. 3 CB
Averett quietly developed into the starting cornerback on the right side of the Tide defense in 2016, and entering his final year, he could be a true shutdown corner before his time is up in Tuscaloosa. The New Jersey native could climb into the top spot among seniors at his position by season’s end -- a group that saw 32 of its own selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
10. C Bradley Bozeman
CBS Sports’ No. 4 C
Rounding out the top-10 is a player that’s climbed from being asked to grayshirt before arriving on campus to a 17-game starter at the center position. Ahead of his redshirt senior season, Bozeman is now one of the leaders in the offensive line room and the anchor of the front five. He may not be a first-round pick, but Bozeman will be a solid pickup for any team.
Others receiving consideration: WR Robert Foster (CBS Sports’ No. 5 ILB), DB Tony Brown(No. 1 CB), LB Shaun Dion Hamilton (No. 2 ILB), LB Christian Miller** and DL Isaiah Buggs**.
