LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: The 10 Best NFL Prospects

Ahead of one of the most anticipated rematches in college football history, now is a good time to examine the top NFL prospects in the BCS National Championship game between Alabama and LSU.

As is usually the case with any SEC matchup, there will be a plethora of talent on the field come January 9th in New Orleans.

When analyzing the rosters, one thing that really stands out is the youth of LSU and the fact that potentially their best player–sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu—isn't even eligible.  

The Tigers sophomore class boats a ton of talent, including six starters on defense and the top three running backs on the depth chart.

Alabama, on the other hand, is a veteran team loaded with upper class-men, which is the reason why this list has a heavy Crimson Tide flavor to it.

Please note, we will be referencing Matt Miller's New Era Scouting Prospect Grade Chart throughout the article.    

Let's take a look at the top NFL prospects in "The Rematch."

10. Marquis Maze: 136 Overall, 18th Ranked Wide Receiver

Marquis Maze (5'8", 184 lbs) finished the season with 56 catches for 627 yards and one touchdown as the primary receiver in a run-first offense.

NFL Scouts will be attracted to Maze's ability in the return game and on special teams, but his diminutive size and lack of top end speed (4.49 40 time) will ultimately land him in the fourth or fifth round.

9. Josh Chapman: 66 Overall, 7th Ranked Defensive Tackle

Josh Chapman (6'1", 310 lbs) is the anchor on the Alabama defense which led the nation in rushing yards allowed (74.9 yards per game).  

He racked up 22 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack during his senior campaign.

Chapman is projected as a late second, early third-round pick.

8. Robert Lester: 58 Overall, 2nd Ranked Free Safety

Robert Lester (6'2", 210 lbs) totaled 35 tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and one blocked field goal during his junior season at Alabama.

Although his numbers are down from 2010 (52 tackles, 8 interceptions), he could find himself drafted in the late second round.

7. Rueben Randle: 51 Overall, 7th Ranked Wide Receiver

Rueben Randle (6'3", 208 lbs) racked up 50 catches for 904 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior this season for LSU.

Randle has tremendous size and great hands to go along with elite athleticism–as a result, he is shooting up NFL draft boards and should find himself selected in the second round.

6. Mark Barron: 45 Overall, 1st Ranked Strong Safety

Mark Barron (6'2", 218 lbs) is a unanimous First Team All-America safety and has recorded 227 tackles to go along with 12 interceptions during his career (38 starts) at Alabama.

After bypassing the NFL Draft last year, Barron returned for his senior season and is projected as a mid to high second-round pick.

5. Dont'a Hightower: 37 Overall, 7th Ranked Inside Linebacker

Dont'a Hightower (6'4", 260 lbs) has recorded 227 tackles and five sacks during his career at Alabama and is widely regarded as one of the best inside linebackers in the country.  

Due to a medical redshirt season, he is still eligible to return to school next year if he chooses to bypass the NFL Draft.

Hightower is currently projected as an early second-round pick.

4. Courtney Upshaw: 28 Overall, 2nd Ranked Outside Linebacker

Courtney Upshaw (6'2", 265 lbs) registered 134 tackles and 17 sacks during his four year career at Alabama and is considered to be one of the best pass rushers in the nation.

Upshaw is projected as a late first-round pick due to his exceptional ability to get to the quarterback from his outside linebacker position.

3. Dre Kirkpatrick: 17 Overall, 3rd Ranked Cornerback

Dre Kirkpatrick (6'2", 192 lbs) has combined for 78 tackles, three forced fumbles and three interceptions during his sophomore and junior seasons at Alabama.

He is the definition of a shut-down corner and will be drafted as such for the next level.

Kirkpatrick will likely be a middle first-round pick.

2. Morris Claiborne: 6 Overall, 1st Ranked Cornerback

Morris Claiborne (6'0", 185 lbs) is the prototypical NFL cornerback and is quite simply, the best defensive back in the nation.

He has racked up an incredible 11 interceptions in his last 22 games and will be starting on Sundays from day one.

Claiborne is projected to be a high first-round draft pick and could go as early as sixth overall.

1. Trent Richardson: 3 Overall, 1st Ranked Running Back

Trent Richardson (5'11", 224 lbs) is widely regarded as one of the top running back prospects to come out of the college ranks in recent years.

As a junior, Richardson accounted for 1,910 total yards and 23 total touchdowns while displaying the type of versatility (27 receptions for 327 yards) it takes to succeed as a running back at the next level.

Depending on team need, Richardson could go as high as third overall in the draft, but could fall to the middle of the first round if teams choose to target other positions due to higher priority.