The 2010 NFL Draft turned out to be as superb a performance for Alabama football as anything this team produced on the field in their run-up to the National Championship victory in Pasadena last January. No less than seven Crimson Tide players had their name called from the podium at Radio City Music Hall this week - the most Bama has seen selected in a single draft for almost a quarter century.
In fact, since the AFL and NFL drafts were merged in 1967, Alabama has seen seven or more players taken in a single draft just three times. Seven were tapped for the pro ranks in 1976 and a school record eight players were drafted in 1987. You don't have to be delusional to recognize that what we saw this year was a downright dominant effort, particularly since it was just two years ago Alabama was shut out of the draft entirely.
To compare, Oklahoma also had seven players taken in the 2010 draft including no less than four in the first round - a performance capped by producing the No. 1 pick, QB Sam Bradford. Florida had a whopping nine players selected this year with three taken on Thursday alone. Pac 10 power USC also saw seven players picked over the three-day draft but, oddly, none in the first round.
Here's the rundown of Alabama's 2010 draft class with links to the celebration threads on the SB Nation blogs for the teams in question:
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A number of Alabama players remain hopeful for unsigned free agent contracts. Tight end Colin Peek was picked up almost the minute the draft concluded and Cory Reamer got the call not long after. Lorenzo Washington, Justin Woodall and Leigh Tiffin all participated in the NFL Combine and have a good chance to get the opportunity to try out at the next level as well. Here's the running tally on the Tide's 2010 UDFA performance (Those in italics are slated for tryouts but do not have contracts).
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Word is that Tiffin, Woodall and Reamer have not signed contracts but have accepted invitations to try out with the teams indicated above. We'll be updating this list over the next few days. If you hear anything about any Alabama players getting on somewhere, please post about it in the comments and we'll get the word out.
* We are currently unclear on Eryk Anders status. Several source say he has penned a contract but a later notice from the Browns doesn't include him.
UPDATED: 7:42 04/05