Three star players of the 2013 BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide — each potential first-rounders — are taking their talents to the next level at the end of April.
Alabama confirmed Friday that cornerback Dee Milliner, running back Eddie Lacy and offensive tackle D.J. Fluker will forego their senior season to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
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Dee Milliner, a consensus first-team All-American, is expected to be the first of three Tide stars and the top defensive back selected. The 6-1, 199-pound Milliner is projected to be a Top 10 pick on April 25.
Eddie Lacy finished second on the team last season in rushing and wraps up his career with 2,402 yards on the ground with 30 touchdowns. Lacy led the Tide with a rushing total of 1,322 yards and 17 TDs and added 22 receptions for 189 yards and two scores in 2012.
The 6-1, 220-pound back was named the offensive MVP of the 2013 BCS title game for finding the end zone on the ground and through the air and running for 140 yards on 20 carries as the Tide rolled Notre Dame.
His stellar showing on the big stage against the Irish could help to propel him to becoming the top player chosen at the position, following the path of Mark Ingram (2011) and Trent Richardson (2012), who were each the first running back selected in their draft class.
Fluker, who is a benefactor of Taylor Lewan’s decision to return to Michigan, looks like he’s ready to step onto an NFL field right now.
The 6-6, 335-pound lineman could become the top tackle selected in April after Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel.
“I would like to take this time to honor these young men for the great job that they have done in how they have represented the University of Alabama and their family,” head coach Nick Saban said.
“They have all been great people, in terms of how they have represented our organization. From a personal character standpoint, these guys have been great representatives and great ambassadors for the University of Alabama and we really appreciate that.”
Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter.
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