UNDERCLASS UPDATES: Henry, Robinson going pro
Follow along here for updates on Alabama's draft-eligible underclassmen as they announce their intentions for the 2016 season.
The deadline for underclassmen to enter the 2016 NFL draft is Monday, Jan. 18. An official list of underclassmen who have declared for the draft will be released on Jan. 22.
Undeclared:
Linebacker Reuben Foster
Returning:
Tight end O.J. Howard (1/18/16)
Defensive end Jonathan Allen (1/16/16)
Outside linebacker Ryan Anderson (1/14/16)
Safety Eddie Jackson (1/14/16)
Outside linebacker Tim Williams (1/13/16)
Declared for draft:
Running back Derrick Henry (1/15/16)
Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (1/15/16)
ROBINSON, HENRY DECLARE FOR NFL DRAFT (1/15/16)
JACKSON BACK FOR SENIOR YEAR (1/14/16)
Alabama got one of its championship game MVPs back on Thursday.
Alabama safety Eddie Jackson will play his senior year for the Crimson Tide, he announced Thursday morning on Twitter. The junior had been a candidate to declare for the 2016 NFL draft.
"It Feel Good To Be Coming Back With My Brothers For Another Year...Lets Get It," Jackson tweeted from @EJackson_4.
Jackson was a unanimous first team All-SEC selection and was named third-team All-American by the AP. He started all 15 games for the Alabama.
Jackson was fifth on the team with 46 tackles and tied for the SEC lead with six interceptions. He had an interception in the national championship game against Clemson that led to an Alabama touchdown, earning him defensive MVP honors.
He returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns.
WILLIAMS RETURNING FOR 2016 (1/13/16)
Junior linebacker Tim Williams announced he will return to school for his senior season. Williams made the announcement in a post on his Twitter account on Wednesday evening.
"Coming back to play with my brothers. We can win this thing again baby!! RTR." he tweeted from his account, @JaYbOi225.
Williams was not a starter for the Crimson Tide this season, but became a candidate to enter the NFL draft after a breakout season as a pass rusher. He finished the year with 10.5 sacks, second most on the team and tied for 13th in the country.
He had played scarcely during his freshman and sophomore seasons but became a key role player for the defense in 2015. Williams' greatest impact was as a situational pass rusher at outside linebacker. The University of Alabama loses senior outside linebackers Dillon Lee and Denzel Devall after this season, which could lead to an expanded role for Williams next year.
Alabama still has several other underclassmen who have not announced whether they will return for the 2016 season or enter the draft. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Jan. 18.