Alabama CB Dee Milliner Officially Enters NFL Draft

After a stellar junior season at Alabama, Dee Milliner has opted to leave school early and declare for the 2013 NFL draft to the delight of many professional teams, according to Chase Goodbread of The Tuscaloosa News.

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Dee Milliner officially declares for draft.

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 11, 2013"

Milliner was a shutdown corner for the Crimson Tide this past season. He racked up 54 total tackles, two interceptions and 18 passes defended in order to help Alabama to a 13-1 record and the BCS National Championship.

His efforts earned him national recognition, and he was selected as a first-team All-American.

By all accounts, Milliner will continue his success at the next level. 

At 6’1” and 199 pounds, he possesses prototypical size for a player at his position. CBS Sports lists his 40-yard dash time at 4.47 seconds and projects him to be a first-round pick. He also ranks No. 11 on Scouts Inc.’s Top 32.

Milliner is an elite talent who has steadily improved throughout his time under Nick Saban. With three years of learning under one of the best defensive minds in all of football, Milliner’s transition into the NFL likely will not be that rough.

His skill set makes him a complete defensive player, as he has the ability to excel in zone or man coverage and help out in run support. 

Alabama will certainly miss his presence next year, but Milliner is ready to make the jump to the professional game.

He almost certainly will not fall to the second round, and draft experts will be gushing over him from now until April. Milliner will be starring on Sundays in the near future.