University of Alabama junior cornerback Kareem Jackson has filed an application with the National...

University of Alabama junior cornerback Kareem Jackson has filed an application with the National Football League Draft Advisory Board, which provides college underclassmen with information on their draft status to help them decide whether or not to forgo their college eligibility early.

"I sent it in a couple of days ago. I guess I'll just wait until it comes back and see what it says. I'm not really putting a whole lot of emphasis on it right now. I'm just focused on getting ready for this game, and that's about it," Jackson said.

Tuscaloosa News: Jackson files with NFLDAB

As expected, Kareem Jackson will test the NFL waters. I'm hoping he returns because with all of the turnover in the defensive backfield next year, Jackson's presence alone could make a very big impact. I know we'll be extremely talented in the defensive backfield regardless, but all of these new faces will have some growing pains, and having Jackson stick around another year would certainly help mitigate that.

In any event, I don't know how high Jackson will be projected, but admittedly he has played extremely well this year. It certainly shouldn't come as of a surprise if the returns on his stock are very bullish. And as a closing matter, keep in mind that while Jackson is a true junior in terms of eligibility, he actually did a tour of duty at one of the military prep schools after graduating high school, so this is really his fourth year out of high school.

about 2 years ago outsidethesidelines 25 comments 0 recs |

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If we

lose Kareem Jackson to the NFL the only starters we will have back on defense is Nico Johnson, Mark Barron, and Hightower. Our offense will more than likely have to outscore people next year because while we have a lot of talent to take their place you can’t replace the experience this defense has and like you said they will have growing pains.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 20, 2009 7:27 PM CST reply actions

Correction

“the only starters we will have back on defense is”

That should be are instead of is. I was typing quickly but I figured someone would point that out.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 20, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

Let em go...

we’ve got two 5-star DBs verbally commited next year.

His number represents the highest round he will go in, if he goes at all.

Got that winning feelin'

by skycaster on Dec 20, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not one to needlessly criticize, but...

… come on, is that a joke post or what?

We’ve actually only got one five-star defensive back currently committed in the 2010 class — that is Milliner; Allen may be rated a five-star safety by Scout.com, but he will begin his career at Alabama at wide receiver — and so what they are five-stars? They will still be true freshmen playing, and it’s extremely difficult for a young cornerback to contribute in a Nick Saban scheme (ask Alonzo Lawrence and Dre Kirkpatrick).

Moreover, why such a Debbie Downer projection on Jackson? He’s a three-year starter on Nick Saban defenses, he’s the top cover corner on the best collegiate defense in the country, and he has the size the NFL looks for in its cornerbacks. With that in mind, there is absolutely no way he’s a third-round-at-best player. He might not be a first round pick, but I’d be highly surprised if he fell into the third or lower than that (especially considering how important cornerbacks are in the modern NFL).

"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman

by outsidethesidelines on Dec 20, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions

Also...

…to expound on that point both the 2008 LSU team and 2009 Florida team had secondaries full of young 5-star players, and both got torched all season long. Jackson potentially returning to Alabama for his senior year may be the most impactful for the 2010 Alabama team, even more than Rolando. I write that mainly because of the lack of experience in the defensive backfield.

by Kenny483 on Dec 21, 2009 7:17 AM CST up reply actions

Who else?

I’m curious, who else may leave besides Rolando? It only seems like possibly the offensive linemen, Carpenter, Davis, and Vlachos. I would doubt they would, but if next year has a rookie cap, would even a projected 3rd rounder be better off financially coming out now?

by Bobby Briggs on Dec 20, 2009 7:30 PM CST reply actions

Drew Davis

is a senior along with Johnson so they will be gone. Vlachos, Carpenter, and Barrett Jones will more than likely all be back. Fluker will more than likely fill in for one of the guys who are leaving.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 20, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

rookie cap wont be negotiated until after CBA is up, so next season's draft won't have a cap regardless

"Yeah, it's Tennessee, that's the way it is sometimes." - Corey Zickefoose, Pulitzer Prize winner and robbery victim

by Thomas Walker Esq on Dec 20, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions

A lot

of the backups have gotten meaningful playing time though so we should be ok. Dareus and Chapman will fill in nicely on the d-line. Nico and Hightower will be a good duo at linebacker. Robby Green and Mark Barron will probably be the starting safety duo.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 20, 2009 7:32 PM CST reply actions

Also

I forgot but Phelon Jones transferred here from LSU last year so he will probably be a good cornerback for us next season. He will be a junior if I am not mistaken.

This upcoming season I'm gonna refer to Julio Jones as "The Magic Man" and Trent Richardson as "El Diablo"

by AlabamaTitans2009 on Dec 20, 2009 7:39 PM CST reply actions

This stuff should be restricted

till after bowl season. It’s just another distraction.

Got that winning feelin'

by skycaster on Dec 20, 2009 7:54 PM CST reply actions

Agree.

I don’t know why Jackson just HAD to file now. Could he not wait until Jan. 8? McClain hasn’t filed yet. Thankfully our captain is focused.

BUT PLEASE NO ONE TALK TO AN AGENT!!

I hate the NCAA more than UT & AU combined. At least with UT & AU you got a fighting chance.

by 5026 on Dec 20, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

No, he could not have...

… you have to keep in mind this is a very limited time frame that the players get. The BCS Championship Game isn’t really over until January 8th, and the last day to withdraw / enter is usually January 15th.

You have to file in early December so the NFLDAB has time to properly evaluate all of those seeking an evaluation.

"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman

by outsidethesidelines on Dec 20, 2009 10:41 PM CST up reply actions

well considering they have to declare for the draft the week after the bowl, kinda hard to wait

Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. - Paul W. "Bear" Bryant

by TheRedTideConsumes on Dec 20, 2009 8:59 PM CST up reply actions

My bad

I did not know they had to declare that early, so I should not have dissed Jackson.

But the system is messed up because these guys have got other things to do besides worry about the draft.

And, has McClain not filled out paper work for evaluation? Is he just a forgone first rounder?

I hate the NCAA more than UT & AU combined. At least with UT & AU you got a fighting chance.

by 5026 on Dec 20, 2009 10:55 PM CST reply actions

I don't know...

And, has McClain not filled out paper work for evaluation? Is he just a forgone first rounder?

I figure he probably has, but he’s a guaranteed first round pick regardless, so he really doesn’t even need an evaluation. Rolando is gone and everyone knows it, so that’s not even an issue. I think our players have basically known all year long that this was his last tour of duty.

"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman

by outsidethesidelines on Dec 20, 2009 10:59 PM CST up reply actions

Jackson

Also, from reading the article it seemed like Jackson was answering a question as to whether he had entered his name to be evaluated. I do not think Jackson was just putting the information out there. It is also a pretty legitimate question, since Jackson has been rumored to be the one junior with the most uncertainity, and because of the key position he plays.

I really do not see any other way he could have answered the question, and do not get the criticism. Jackson answered it honestly and down played the importance of it. Moreover, my guess would be that almost all eligible juniors with even a sliver of hope of playing in the NFL did so. It is a free service and give important feedback as to how potential future employers view their skills. If I was to guess, I would assume that McElroy and Carpenter also sent in a request for their evaluation as well.

by Kenny483 on Dec 21, 2009 7:30 AM CST up reply actions

If you look at the major NFL draft projection boards

Rolando McClain is the number one linebacker prospect. He doesn’t need to file because he can look at the NFL Scouts projections and Mel Kiper’s lists (and coaches like Mike Tomlin have already told him they would make him their starting Mike next year). I could see him going to a team that has a pretty good defense already but needs one more piece to put it all together.

In addition to his talent, he’s so knowledgeable of Saban’s 3-4 that a number of teams with 3-4 defenses would sign him and throw him right in there.

MATRIX: Bennett, I thought you were--

BENNETT: Dead? You thought wrong. Ever since you had me thrown out of the unit, I've been waiting to pay you back. Do you know what today is, Matrix? Payday.

by Bamagrad on Dec 21, 2009 10:23 AM CST reply actions

and with the way Pittsburg's season has gone they may actually be in a position to draft him lol

Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games. - Paul W. "Bear" Bryant

by TheRedTideConsumes on Dec 21, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

wow that would be so awesome!

by tidefanstuckatlsu on Dec 21, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions

NO

Titans

Lee Corso: How would you describe tailgating at Alabama?
Kirk Herbstreit: Barbecue and Ralph Lauren

by animalcracker on Dec 21, 2009 7:13 PM CST up reply actions

I want him to go to a place he would fit in.

Lol

by tidefanstuckatlsu on Dec 21, 2009 10:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Thats my boy

Hopefully he comes back.

36-0

by Bamabrave4 on Dec 21, 2009 10:54 AM CST reply actions

I'm going to go out on the limb...

I say that Rolando is coming back for his senior year. He just seems like a kid that loves college and education is very important to him. I can’t see Jackson being a more than a 4 round pick if he comes out this year. But that is my opinion – all speculation.

by MDBSax on Dec 21, 2009 9:40 PM CST reply actions