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Alabama in the Pros

Former Alabama players becoming free agents in the NFL next week

Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (#28) celebrates game-winning 86-yard TD run in overtime against Seattle Seahawks.
Joe Nicholson - USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft happens next month, and we witnessed some excitement at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Several teams have made decisions on free agents, choosing not to franchise-tag players.

The University of Alabama has some alums that will enter free agency next week. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Josh Jacobs, Calvin Ridley, and Xavier McKinney were not tagged by their respective teams. Jacobs, a running back, will test the market after the Las Vegas Raiders did not provide him a new contract. Ridley, a wide receiver, hits the market after one season of action with the Jacksonville Jaguars. McKinney, a safety, was a leader for the New York Giants, but he hits the free agency market too.

All three won at least one national championship with the Crimson Tide in college.

RELATED: Why Nick Saban was disappointed with how Alabama players acted after Michigan loss

Ridley, a South Florida native, came to the Crimson Tide as a five-star in its 2015 signing class. He assisted Alabama to two College Football Playoff National Championships in 2015 and 2017. Jacobs won a CFP National Championship with the Tide in 2017 and McKinney earned a CFP National Championship ring in 2017. Ridley and Jacobs were first-round selections while McKinney was taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. We will see where these three names wind up next.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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