ESPN’s NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper is preparing his draft board for 2016. He ranked the top defensive line prospects in college football Tuesday, and three Alabama players made the list.
A’Shawn Robinson, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is listed as the No. 2 draft prospects among upperclassmen defensive tackles. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior is ranked amongst the top defensive line draft prospects nationally, according to Kiper.
Robinson played in 14 games last season, totaling 49 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. He recorded 5.5 sacks as a freshman in 2013.
Jarran Reed, a former junior college transfer (East Mississippi CC), is listed as the second-best draft prospect among senior defensive tackles. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Reed earned honorable mention All-SEC honors from the Associated Press last season.
He accounted for 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack and five pass breakups in 14 games. Reed combined for 23 tackles against Mississippi State and LSU in 2014.
Jonathan Allen, a native of Leesburg, Va., is ranked as the third-best draft prospect among junior defensive ends. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Allen earned first-team All-SEC honors last season as a sophomore. He tallied 33 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
