A Championship Draft: How Bama's Best Will do at the Combines

The Alabama Crimson Tide put on an impressive show of athleticism during the 2009 championship season. Now some of the athletes that helped make Alabama's dream season come true, are leaving to pursue their own dreams of playing in the NFL. We will take a look at all 10 athletes, and what they must do to improve their own stock in the combines.

Javier Arenas – DB

Javier Arenas is explosive and fast when he has a football. If you are a 'Bama fan, this guy has nearly given you a heart attack countless times. He has to be ready to show the scouts that he can make wise decisions, while still being a play maker.

While Arenas has been a great punt returner in his career, his deep coverage has shown flaws, and he probably won't be able to run with the NFL's best receivers at CB. I think he will would be wise show off his speed and strength at the NFL Combine, and if so he will probably land a No. 2 spot as a return man.

Projected Draft: Second round

Terrence Cody – NT

Wow! What can you say about Mount Cody? Nick Saban asked Cody to shed a few pounds before arriving on campus, and he did. Then Terrence continued to lose weight, and in doing so became a more agile nose tackle. Reports indicate that Cody lost 16 more pounds before enter the Combine.

This is a guy who has to be double teamed in most cases, and the more weight he loses the faster he becomes. I think Cody will do just fine, and the quarter backs that face him are in trouble.

Projected Draft: First round

Brandon Deaderick – DE

One of the better defensive ends in recent years, Brandon Deaderick has a lot of talent to showcase. I would like to see him lose 20 pounds, and then gain about 10 pounds of it back in muscle. Improving his 40 time would make him impossible to overlook while at the NFL Combine. Maybe he should include on his resume that he returned to practice 3 days after being shot!

Projected Draft: Third round

Kareem Jackson – DB

Another great speedster that will be missed. Jackson has great hands and can read a defense well. In his NCAA career he had very few penalty flags thrown his way and several interceptions. If Kareem can harness his receiving abilities then he may find himself a more valuable asset.

Projected Draft: Second round

Mike Johnson – OG

Walter Camp First Team All-American Mike Johnson is a 305-pound machine. He can protect his QB against the best the NFL has to offer. Being on the offensive line is all about strength and hand work. It would bode well for Mike to emphasize his agility and ability to hold his ground under pressure.

Projected Draft: Second round

Rolando McClain – LB

Rolando is smart. Very smart. His ability to read an offense is likely unsurpassed by any other defender at the NFL scouting Combine. His response time and tackle drills are the things that will get him noticed the most. Not to mention the fact that his ability to lead and manage a defense is a big part of why Alabama went undefeated in 2009.

Projected Draft: First round

Colin Peek – TE

Colin Peek was a late bloomer at Alabama, but when once he came full circle, he never looked back. He is a tall and wide TE with 26 receptions, for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns in his last year with the Crimson Tide. Colin just needs to do what he does best. Catch the ball and run someone over.

Projected Draft: Third round

Leigh Tiffin – K

This is a guy who kicked to way to a total of 385 points in his career, and finished his senior season with a kick percentage of 85.7, and a career long field goal of 54 yards. If Leigh could find a way to improve his leg strength, he would be a loose rocket. I am looking for this guy to be compared to guys like Jason Elam, and Ryan Longwell in coming years.

Projected Draft: First round

Lorenzo Washington – DE

Another key part of the defense that swallowed up offensive linemen, Lorenzo is used to being part of a defense that works together seamlessly to confuse the offense and infiltrate the backfield. He should be able to get the attention of every scout in the building by executing assignments properly and exercising speed at the snap.

Projected Draft: Second round

Justin Woodall – SS

Justin Woodall disappears when he drops back. He can cover the deep ball like no one else, and can catch as good as anyone. As long as he is able to show the scouts why he was such a factor for Nick Saban's triple threat defense, he will be just fine.

Projected Draft: Third round