There will be wholesale departures for the reigning National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide as they look to repeat as champs next season.
Head coach Nick Saban announced on Thursday that All-American defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick will forgo his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
He joins the likes of Ronnie Harrison, Da’Ron Payne, Bo Scarbrough and Calvin Ridley to have already made this decision.
Saban confirms that Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Da'Ron Payne, Bo Scarbrough and Calvin Ridley are declaring for the draft
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 11, 2018
Fitzpatrick is seen as a near lock to go in the top 10 of April’s draft. Primarily playing corner during his days with the Tide, Fitzpatrick recorded 171 career tackles, 24 passes defended and nine interceptions in three seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Some have the 6-foot-1, 202-pound defensive back as a better fit to play free safety at the next level. Others love his physicality at corner. Either way, it would not be a major shock to see Fitzpatrick land in the top five when the 2018 NFL Draft comes calling.