Alabama’s Christian Harris leaving early for NFL draft

Alabama linebacker Christian Harris during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Alabama Athletics/Kent Gidley)
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Alabama inside linebacker Christian Harris became the school’s sixth underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft.

Harris announced his decision Monday, which was the NFL’s deadline for underclassmen to enter the draft. “After carefully weighing my options with my family, I know I am ready to accomplish my next goal,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

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Alabama falls out of basketball polls for first time in a year

Jahleel Billingsley transferring to Big 12 school

Harris’ departure means Alabama will lose three defensive starters from last season’s team, with senior defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis and redshirt junior cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis also turning professional. Outside linebacker Christopher Allen, who started the first game of the season before being injured, is also entering the draft.

However, Alabama will have several defensive starters returning after juniors Henry To’o To’o, DJ Dale, DeMarcco Hellams, Jordan Battle and Byron Young all announced they would stay in school.

Harris was a preseason all-SEC first team pick but was not recognized on the first or second all-conference teams in the postseason. Harris had four tackles for a loss, three sacks and a forced fumble in his final game, Alabama’s national championship game loss last week to Georgia.

The top candidate to start alongside To’o To’o next season could be Deontae Lawson, who was listed on the two-deep depth chart last season as a freshman. Two other Alabama inside linebackers, Jaylen Moody and Shane Lee, entered the NCAA transfer portal last week. Ian Jackson, Demouy Kennedy, Kendrick Blackshire and incoming freshman Shawn Murphy are the other options at the position.

Seniors entering NFL draft: RB Brian Robinson (Senior Bowl/eligibility exhausted), DL Phidarian Mathis (Senior Bowl), OLB Christopher Allen, CB Josh Jobe, OL Chris Owens (eligibility exhausted)

Juniors entering NFL draft: OT Evan Neal, WR Jameson Williams, WR John Metchie, WR Slade Bolden (redshirt junior), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (redshirt junior), ILB Christian Harris

Players not entering NFL draft, returning in 2022: ILB Henry To’o To’o (junior), DL DJ Dale (junior), S DeMarcco Hellams (junior), S Jordan Battle (junior), DL Byron Young (junior), OL Emil Ekiyor (junior)

Scholarship players entering transfer portal: QB Paul Tyson (Arizona State), WR Javon Baker, TE Jahleel Billingsley (Texas), OL Tommy Brown, ILB Jaylen Moody, ILB Shane Lee, OLB Drew Sanders (Arkansas), OLB King Mwikuta (Arkansas State)

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.

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