Alabama DL Da’Ron Payne & DB Minkah Fitzpatrick Entering 2018 Draft

On Thursday, Alabama HC Nick Saban confirmed that DL Da’Ron Payne, DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Ronnie Harrison, RB Bo Scarbrough and WR Calvin Ridley will all be entering the 2018 NFL draft, per Chase Goodbread.

This is a lot of talent to lose, but few college programs, if any, are as well positioned to deal with this kind of loss than Alabama.

Fitzpatrick, Payne, and Ridley are all in the mix to be first-round picks next year, so it’s not at all surprising to hear that they’re declaring.

Payne spent three years at Alabama and recorded 102 tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks, an interception, five pass defenses, two fumble recoveries with one being returned for a touchdown and a forced fumble over the course of 35 games.

Fitzpatrick appeared in 42 games during his three seasons at Alabama and recorded 171 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, nine interceptions with four being returned for touchdowns, 24 pass defenses and two forced fumbles.

Harrison totaled 174 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 17 pass defenses, two fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns and a forced fumble over the course of 42 games.