2012 NFL Mock Draft: Alabama Juniors Will Be in High Demand

As per usual, the Alabama Crimson Tide are going to be well represented in the 2012 NFL Draft. That Nick Saban sure does churn out some talented players.

Then again, there is at least a little uncertainty regarding which Alabama players will hear their names called on draft night. Several of the best are juniors, which means they need not leave Tuscaloosa for the National Football League if they don't want to.

But apparently, they want to. The folks at DraftInsider.net have it on good authority that running back Trent Richardson, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick are going to forgo their senior seasons to depart for the greener grass and rich paychecks of the NFL.

Surprised? You shouldn't be. All three of these players are going to be highly sought after on draft night, so they would be risking a lot by coming back to school for another year.

Of the three, I personally believe that Richardson has the brightest future. Barring any kind of major injury, he is going to be viewed as the best running back in the 2012 draft class. The dude has unparalleled strength, and pretty good speed as well. He projects as a very productive NFL running back.

To give you an idea where Richardson stands, Bleacher Report NFL Draft guru Matt Miller put him at No. 11 on his latest big board. That's more or less on par with what most other experts think of Richardson.

Kirkpatrick is also a top talent. He's got great size and good speed, and he has the instincts that you look for in a true cover corner. Many consider him to be the best cornerback prospect the 2012 draft class has to offer. Our friend Miller has him at No. 13 on his big board.

Hightower is a little harder to figure. He's one of the better inside linebacker prospects, but scouts like his intangibles more than what Hightower can do from a physical standpoint. He's thicker than you would like, and he doesn't run particularly well. He also has a major knee injury in his past.

Still, that Hightower will have been a key cog in a top defense at Alabama will help his cause. Off the top of my head, he could go in the second round.

Regardless, the Alabama faithful will be able to puff out their chests on draft night. These guys are great players from a great program.