LSU vs Alabama Rematch: Top 5 NFL Draft Prospects in BCS Title Game

It's a long wait, but we're getting closer and closer to BCS National Championship Game rematch between No. 2 Alabama and No. 1 LSU.

From a matchups standpoint, this game has already been broken down from just about every conceivable angle. Many have put in their two cents as to why Alabama is going to win this time around, or why LSU is going to win again.

I'm not going to bother with that. The thing that interests me today is all the NFL talent that is going to be featured in this game. As you may have already heard, there's a lot of it, with potential first-rounders on both teams. If you're an NFL Draft junkie, you're not going to want to miss it.

For kicks, let's go ahead and count down the Top Five 2012 NFL Draft prospects that will be in action in the BCS title game.

5. Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

I could have easily put safety Mark Barron in this spot, but I decided to go with Dont'a Hightower for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, Hightower strikes me as a true defensive centerpiece. He's a guy with great character, and is a key leader on Alabama's defense. At the absolute very least, Hightower will be a well-respected player at the next level.

Of course, Hightower deserves plenty of credit for what he brings to the table as a football player as well. He's got great instincts, and he moves pretty well for a man of his size (6'4" and about 260 pounds). 

The one thing you have to worry about with Hightower is his injury history. He tore his ACL back in 2009, and had to have reconstructive surgery.

Hightower has bounced back pretty well, though, and he should go in the first round on draft day.

4. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick has had something of an up-and-down season, but he's got first-round talent and that's something that not many other corners can boast about.

And that's height. Kirkpatrick pushes 6'3," making him pretty tall for a corner. In a day and age when seemingly every wide receiver in the league is 6'5," having a tall corner who can match up with the big guys is definitely a good idea.

Not that I want to sell Kirkpatrick short as a cover man, of course. He's done enough to show that he can hang with just about anyone, and it's largely thanks to his efforts that Alabama had the nation's top passing defense in 2011.

Depending on how things shake out, I can see Kirkpatrick going in the Top 15 on draft day, maybe even Top 10.

3. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The point is debatable whether or not Courtney Upshaw has a higher ceiling than Dre Kirkpatrick, but my opinion is that he does. Kirkpatrick is going to be a solid player, but Upshaw has the goods to be an impact player.

There are a lot of things Upshaw can do, but the one thing you have to like the most is his ability to rush the passer. He totaled 8.5 sacks in 2011, and seven of those came in Alabama's last six games. 

They have their differences, but I can't help but think of Upshaw as this year's version of Aldon Smith. The key difference is that Upshaw is not quite as raw, and I take that to be a good thing.

I would be shocked if Upshaw went in the Top 10 on draft day, but he could easily go in the 11-20 range. I personally think he would be a great fit for the New York Jets, who could use a pass-rushing linebacker.

2. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Finally, we get to an LSU guy. Take my word for it that I'm not trying to disrespect the team by only including one player on this list.

Besides, Morris Claiborne is a damn good player.

He started his career at LSU as a wide receiver, but has emerged as the top cornerback prospect in the 2012 draft class. He's coming off a brilliant season in which he recorded six interceptions on his way to winning the Jim Thorpe Award.

Claiborne is not quite the physical freak that former teammate Patrick Peterson is, but he might be better in coverage than Peterson was when he left LSU last season. He's a tough, physical corner who can blanket any receiver he's matched up with. Throwing the ball in his direction is a bad idea.

Claiborne is going in the Top 10 on draft day. Shoot, he may even go in the Top Five.

1. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Boy do I loves me some Trent Richardson.

Richardson is just plain fun to watch. He is, quite literally, as solid as a rock, and I don't think I've ever seen him fall backwards. Even at the next level, he's going to be stronger than most of the guys trying to tackle him.

But Richardson isn't just some big brute. Just like his predecessor, Mark Ingram, Richardson boasts above-average vision, and he rarely tries to force anything. He'll wait for a block, and then explode once he gets it.

Richardson's got some moves too. I'll let the video explain that part:

That run never gets old.

Richardson is going in the Top Five on draft day. Count on it.