Arkansas vs. Alabama: The 5 Best 2012 NFL Draft Prospects on Display

This year, Alabama looks like an NFL JV team, with just a ridiculous amount of future pro prospects lining up all over the field.

Even though the Tide sent three first-round selections to the NFL this year, this is a team that simply reloads.

We’ll finally get the chance to see how all of those talented players handle going up against a real opponent this season when the Arkansas Razorbacks come to town on Saturday.

Arkansas is a team that has its own fair share of future pros, so it should be a high-octane clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here’s a look at a few of the top pro prospects to watch in this SEC West battle.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Trent Richardson may just be the most talented running back in college football.

The physically imposing 5’11’’, 225-pound powerhouse offers up a terrific blend of power and speed, and he’s got all the makings of a top-notch NFL back.

It will be interesting to see what Richardson can do against a talented Arkansas defensive front seven.

LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

If you’re an NFL team that plays a 3-4 defense and you’re in need of some help at the rush linebacker spot, you don’t need to look any further than Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw.

Upshaw, who mans the all-important Jack linebacker position on the Tide defense, is one of the best pass-rushers and backfield penetrators in the country.

The 6’2’’, 260-pound senior is one of the most important players on the Tide defense, and he’ll play a crucial role in rattling Arkansas QB Tyler WIlson.

WR Greg Childs, Arkansas

After mourning the death of his grandmother last week, Arkansas WR Greg Childs will return to the lineup this week, which is welcome news to the Razorbacks offense.

Even though Childs was banged up for the latter part of last season, he still managed to show off his elite playmaking ability in the first half of 2010.

The 6’3’’, 215-pound senior is effective on short, medium and long passes, and he knows exactly how to put pressure on a secondary.

CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

If there’s one thing Alabama coach Nick Saban knows how to do, it’s mold talented defensive backs.

It’s his specialty.

Saban might have one of the most talented secondaries of his career this year, and one of the marquee faces of that group is CB Dre Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick, a 6’3’’, 190-pound junior, took a major step forward in his first season as a starter after enduring a few early struggles.

The former 5-star recruit is super long and super athletic, and his size-speed combination will endear him to NFL scouts.

It should be interesting to see how Kirkpatrick matches up against guys like Greg Childs and Joe Adams.

S Mark Barron, Alabama

Even though they have so many talented playmakers all over the field, there’s no question about who the true leader is on the Alabama defense.

Last season, Mark Barron was the linchpin of a young and inexperienced defensive unit, and he helped turn them into a Top 10 defense. This year, the senior safety is back to give the Tide some big pop in the back end.

Barron, who is basically a linebacker in a safety’s body, has all of the physical tools you’re looking for in an elite strong safety, and he has a knack for coming up with big tackles and interceptions at opportune times.

Other Prospects to Watch

LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

DE Jake Bequette, Arkansas

DT Josh Chapman, Alabama

OG Barrett Jones, Alabama

S Robert Lester, Alabama

WR Joe Adams, Arkansas

LB Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

WR Marquis Maze, Alabama

S Tramain Thomas, Arkansas

LB Jerico Nelson, Arkansas