Clock ticking louder for undeclared underclassmen … Alabama closed out the college football season last night edging Clemson 45-40 in a thriller to win its 4th national title in the last 7 years. All eyes now turn to the half dozen or so Alabama juniors who are known to be thinking seriously about entering the 2016 draft including Heisman trophy winning RB Derrick Henry, TE O.J, Howard, who was huge in last night’s win over Clemson, DE Jon Allen, DT A’Shawn Robinson, OLB Tim Williams and ILB Reuben Foster. And if there is any indecision there the Alabama juniors won’t have much time to consider their options as underclassmen now have only until next Monday to file paperwork with the NFL to be included in this year’s draft. As an interesting sidelight to last night’s game, the Alabama juniors reportedly had agreed not to look at their evaluations from the NFL’s special draft advisory committee until after last night’s game, although most are expected to make the jump. In fact, Alabama almost uses the argument that kids can come to the school, play their three years or so, win a national championship or two and then go to the pros and make some as a selling point to recruits. The school will also likely have a joint announcement/press conference with their underclassmen to seal the deal in the next few days. Meanwhile, Clemson also has several underclassmen pondering the 2016 draft decisions including redshirt sophomore CB Mackensie Alexander, a top 15 prospect for the upcoming draft who was forced to leave the game when he re-aggravated the hamstring that had made him a game-time decision, and FS Jayron Kearse. Star Clemson DE Shaq Lawson, who is also a top 15 prospect and who gutted out last night’s game despite playing with a brace on the knee he injured in the Tigers’ semi-final win over Oklahoma 10 days ago, had already announced his intention to enter the draft. On the other hand, Clemson TE Jordan Leggett, who figured to be one of the first 3-4 players selected at the position if he entered this year’s draft, announced after last night’s game that he would be returning to school. In fact, most of the top prospects for this year have announced their plans one way or the other to date. Indeed, almost 90 juniors and redshirt sophomores have indicated in one way or another that they will be in this year’s draft, although there are still some top prospects to be heard from other than the Alabama and Clemson players including Baylor DT Andrew Billings, LSU CB Tre’davious White and Colorado State WR Rashard Higgins.
