After a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State in the inaugural College Football Playoff semifinal, Alabama has been hit with more losses. All-SEC running back T.J. Yeldon will join All-American safety Landon Collins and Heisman Candidate wide receiver Amari Cooper in the 2015 NFL Draft.
All three players are predicted to be highly-sought after picks in the NFL Draft, specifically Cooper, who is currently sitting third overall on Mel Kiper’s infamous “Big Board.” He racked up three games with over 200 receiving yards this season, with the most dominant being against Tennessee where he averaged 24.9 yards per reception and tallied three touchdowns on just 9 receptions. Cooper was a finalist for the Heisman this year, as well as All-SEC honors, and was voted to USA Today’s All-American team. He also was awarded the 2014 Fred Biletnikoff Award and was named the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Landon Collins, the safety out of Baton Rouge, LA, started his Alabama career on the wrong foot with his mother. She was not happy with her son when he chose Alabama over LSU, but she seemed more understanding today when she announced he would be declaring for the NFL Draft. Collins had a remarkable season, recording 103 total tackles, recovered two fumbles, broke up seven passes, and tallied three interceptions. He is currently projected to go No. 7 overall in the NFL Draft and is possibly one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects in the draft this year. His dominance on the field did not go unnoticed on a national level, as he was named a First-Team All-American by the Associated Press this year.
Running back T.J. Yeldon, who once won his hometown of Hueytown’s “Mr.Football” award over Heisman winner Jameis Winston, will also be departing for the NFL early. The powerful running back fell short of 1,000 yards rushing this season, which would have been his third consecutive season conquering this feat. Yeldon is a player you can always depend on when he’s on the field, but has dealt with injuries multiple times this season. He finished the 2014 campaign with 932 yards and ten touchdowns in 13 games, highlighted by a huge game against Auburn where he racked up 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Yeldon is currently sitting as the No. 6 ranked running back for the 2015 draft and respectfully ranked No. 49 overall.
There’s no doubt that this trio will be sorely missed, but thanks to Alabama’s great recruiting classes in recent years, the Tide will bring in another group of very talented players next season.
*Section Photo credit to Scott Cunningham, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Crystal LoGuidice/John Reed/John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports.
