SEC title game overrun with NFL prospects

League championship game packed with draft prospects

Alabama senior tight end O.J. Howard, shown catching a touchdown pass in the Crimson Tide's 33-14 win over Texas A&M on Oct. 22, is among the 10 potential 2017 NFL first-round draft picks expected to play in Saturday's Southeastern Conference title game.
Alabama senior tight end O.J. Howard, shown catching a touchdown pass in the Crimson Tide's 33-14 win over Texas A&M on Oct. 22, is among the 10 potential 2017 NFL first-round draft picks expected to play in Saturday's Southeastern Conference title game.

When Saturday's Southeastern Conference football championship game between Alabama and Florida kicks off inside the Georgia Dome, it will mark the final league game for many talented Crimson Tide and Gators players.

That should not be confused for the last time they meet on a field of play.

As many as 10 first-round selections in the 2017 NFL draft could be on display in Atlanta, with the bumper crop headed by Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen and Florida cornerbacks Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson.

"It's kind of like a minor-league NFL game, if that makes sense," Gators quarterback Austin Appleby said earlier this week. "There are going to be first-rounders and NFL players all over the field, and this is what it's all about in the SEC. Between the Alabama and Florida programs, there is talent everywhere, and we know what's at stake."

Representing Alabama among the 10 potential first-round picks are Allen, offensive tackle Cam Robinson, linebacker Reuben Foster, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, tight end O.J. Howard and defensive end/outside linebacker Tim Williams. Robinson is a junior who is expected to forego his final season of eligibility, while Humphrey is just a redshirt sophomore who has an interesting decision to make.

Humphrey suffered a leg injury in last week's win over Auburn, but Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday night that he was able to practice and that he "did well."

Joining Tabor and Wilson among Florida's lofty draft projections are defensive tackle Caleb Brantley and linebacker Jarrad Davis, who has battled an ankle injury but is expected to play.

"With me being a competitor, I always want to be the best," Tabor said, "and to be the best, they're going to measure you against who everybody else thinks is the best. It's going to be a real exciting game. They've got some pretty good receivers who they like to give the ball to and can make some plays, so it should be fun."

Sports Illustrated and Walter Camp recently presented first-round mock drafts that included nine Alabama and Florida players. Sports Illustrated's mock draft had eight SEC players in the top 11 selections, with Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, LSU running back Leonard Fournette and safety Jamal Adams, and Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett joining Alabama's Allen, Williams and Foster, and Florida's Wilson.

"When you play in the SEC, every game is like this," Alabama junior inside linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton said. "I feel like the SEC is the best conference in college football, and every Saturday when we line up, we know that we're facing guys who are going to be playing on Sundays."

Said Howard: "Whenever you get around this time of year, the opponents are going to be really good teams. They deserve to make it this far for a reason, because they're good. There is going to be a lot of talent Saturday on both sides."

Allen finalist twice

Allen, who has 52 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and two defensive scores this season, was named Wednesday among the five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and among the four finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The other finalists for the Walter Camp honor, which goes to the top player in college football, are Washington quarterback Jake Browning, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Michigan linebacker/return specialist Jabrill Peppers.

Former Crimson Tide tailback Derrick Henry won the Walter Camp honor last season.

Hurts a finalist

Alabama freshman Jalen Hurts was selected Wednesday among the 10 finalists for the Manning Award, which is given annually to college football's top quarterback.

The first true freshman quarterback to start for Alabama since Vince Sutton in 1984, Hurts has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 2,454 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also leads the Tide in rushing with 840 yards and 12 touchdowns on 154 carries.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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