The National Football League announced 22 prospects that have been invited to this year’s draft festivities on Thursday, as the event is scheduled for April 26-28 in Dallas via NFL Network.
According to a report from Chase Goodbread, a college football writer for NFL.com, former University of Alabama stars Minkah Fitzpatrick and Rashaan Evans were among the individuals invited to the venue.
Fitzpatrick, a three-year starter in the secondary, amassed 171 tackles – including 16 for loss with 26 pass breakups and nine interceptions.
He returned four picks for touchdowns and won both Chuck Bednarik (college defensive player of the year) and Jim Thorpe (nation’s top defensive back) awards last season.
Fitzpatrick projects by most draft analysts as a top-10 pick.
As for Evans, he finished the 2017 campaign with 74 tackles, 13 tackles for loss (team-high), six sacks and seven quarterback hurries. Despite his decision to not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and at Alabama’s pro day, he still projects as a late first-round value via media pundits.
Both players helped the Crimson Tide achieve national titles in 2015 and 2017.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
