2012 NFL Draft: BCS Championship Game Stars Who Must Turn Pro Now

The Alabama Crimson Tide have deservedly been crowned the 2012 National Champions.

Their dominating performance in the BCS Championship Game not only ended any debate about their being deserving of playing in the game at all, but it also highlighted a number of players who have played their last games in a college uniform.

LSU is not lost in this either, and they also have a few eligible players who need to take the step as well.

Last night's title game wasn't the prettiest, but it was easily evident which players are heading for careers on Sundays.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Tigers did a decent job on the nation's No. 1 running back prospect for much of the night, but his overall presence was a huge reason why quarterback A.J. McCarron was able to put together the performance he did.

Richardson has nothing left to prove in the collegiate ranks. Although he could compete for another Heisman, he now has two national championships to his name and is a likely top-10 pick.

His stock cannot go much higher and he's only at risk of injuring himself by returning to Tuscaloosa.

He's a complete prospect who leaves nothing to be desired.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Other than his five kickoff return opportunities, we didn't hear much about Mo in last night's game.

When it comes to cornerback play, this is typically a good thing.

Alabama and McCarron learned their lesson the last time they challenged No. 17 and they game-planned to completely avoid the 6'0", 175-pounder.

Instead, offensive coordinator Jim McElwain attacked the smaller Tyrann Mathieu and brought the Honey Badger's star crashing down with a well-called and well-executed game plan.

Claiborne is one of the top three prospects in the entire country and should hear his name called in the top five on draft day.

His fluid hips, elite cover skills and dynamic return ability make him a can't-miss prospect.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide corner isn't the cover man Claiborne is, but he's the best tackling cornerback in the country and he showed it last night.

Kirkpatrick is still a bit raw, but at 6'2", 192 pounds, he is an extremely intriguing player with a rare combination of size, speed and physicality that isn't often seen at the position.

He loves to bump at the line and he plays with passion and fire that you simply cannot coach.

Coach Nick Saban is known for producing extremely talented defensive backs and Kirkpatrick could be one of the best he's had.

He's a fringe top prospect who could go even higher based on need.

Fringe Players: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU; Michael Brockers, DT, LSU; Robert Lester, S, Alabama

The case can be made both ways for all three players.

Montgomery and Brockers are still only redshirt sophomores and Lester is a redshirt junior.

The two LSU players can still add more to their resumes, but would both be fringe first-round picks as of right now.

Lester is more of a second-to-third-round option, although he would be one of the highest rated safeties in the class.