The Heir Apparent: What Dre' Kirkpatrick Shares With These 5 Players

Dre' Kirkpatrick is destined for stardom at Alabama.

I base that statement off one thing, history.

Kirkpatrick has two things in common with each of these five players.

One, every one of these players were five-star recruits coming out of high school. And two, every one of these players were rated as the No. 1 Defensive Back coming out of high school.

Remember that Dre' was a 5 star and the No. 1 rated DB coming out of high school in 2009.

So let's take a look at the last five players (before Dre') who were rated as the No. 1 DB coming out of high school...

2008 -- Patrick Peterson, LSU

Patrick Peterson has fully emerged at Defensive Back for LSU. He has become the best DB in the SEC and LSU's best defensive player for the upcoming season.

He established himself as a star player during his sophomore season in 2009 when he was named 2009 2nd Team All-America and 2009 first team All-SEC.

2007 -- Eric Berry, Tennessee

His career at Tennessee was nothing short of spectacular. He was one of the best players in the country throughout his collegiate career. His collegiate honors include:

-1st Team All-American 2009
-1st Team All-American 2008
-Jim Thorpe Award 2009
-1st team All-SEC 2009
-1st team All-SEC 2008
- 2007 Freshman All-American
- 2nd Team All-SEC 2007

2006 -- Rashad Jones, Georgia

Rashad Jones was a very good defensive back for the Georgia Bulldogs. He now plays DB for the Miami Dolphins after being drafted in the 2010 NFL Draft.

His collegiate honors include:

-2009 2nd Team All-SEC
-2008 2nd Team All-SEC

2005 -- Kenny Phillips, Miami (FL)

Kenny Phillips was a dominant defensive back while at Miami. He was a first round draft pick of the NY Giants in 2008. His collegiate honors include:

-2007 2nd Team All-American
-2007 1st Team All-ACC
-2006 2nd Team All-American
-2006 1st Team All-ACC
-2005 Freshman All-America

2004 - Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State

Coming out of high school, Ginn was the No. 1-rated defensive back. When he got to Ohio State he moved to Wide Receiver/Return Specialist and went on to become one of the most electrifying players in the country.

He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1st round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He now plays for the San Francisco 49ers. His collegiate honors include:

-2004 1st team All-American, All-Big 10
-2005 1st team All-American, All-Big 10
-2006 1st team All-American, All-Big 10

2009 -- Dre' Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Dre' Kirkpatrick was a 5 star recruit and was the No. 1-rated DB coming out of high school just like the 5 players who came before him.

Considering the quality of these 5 players and the rating similarities between Dre' and this group, history can assure Dre' Kirkpatrick's stardom at Alabama.

He will most likely emerge this season as he will be starting at the Cornerback position on Alabama's defense this season.

Barring any injury or off the field issues, you can expect to see Kirkpatrick's name on the All-SEC list at the end of the season and possibly the All-America Team.