NFL Combine: How Did Former Alabama Crimson Tide Players Perform?

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Scouting Combine closed its doors Tuesday with the defensive backs finishing up their workouts. In all, Alabama had five players do some portion of the on-field throughout the week in Indianapolis. Other players, such as Barrett Jones and Eddie Lacy, were invited but could not participate in workouts due to recovering from injury. Those players were still able to go through the interview sessions with teams, as well as obtain medical clearance from NFL doctors.

The Tide’s D.J. Fluker, Robert Lester, Dee Milliner, Chance Warmack and Jesse Williams posted statistics in various events. Players can choose to not participate in an event.

D.J. Fluker stood 6-foot-5 and weighed 339 pounds at the Combine. He chose to participate in the forty-yard dash and posted a 5.31 second time. Fluker also recorded 21 reps at 225 on the bench press.

Robert Lester was measured at 6-foot-1 and weighed 220 pounds in Indianapolis. Lester’s size puts him squarely in the conversation for NFL safeties. He posted a 4.66 forty-yard dash to go with 33.5-inch vertical jump and a 117-inch broad jump.

Dee Milliner had a potential top-10 draft selection on the line at the Combine. He will have surgery to repair a torn labrum on March 12 and that will preclude participation in Alabama’s Pro Day. Milliner solidified his draft standing with a 4.37 forty-yard dash, which put him second among cornerbacks. He chose to do everything but the bench press, owing to his injury. The former Tide cornerback had a 36-inch vertical, a 122-inch broad jump, a 6.95-second three-cone drill and a 4.32 second 20-yard shuttle.

Chance Warmack weighed in at 317 and stands 6-foot-2. He only did the broad jump, and the forty at Combine, citing an injury. The forty was a 5.49, and the jump was 110 inches. While the forty time isn’t close to elite, Warmack is an interior player, so such things are secondary concerns. The big man hopes to workout at Alabama’s Pro Day.

Jesse Williams came to Indianapolis with his eye squarely focused on the Combine bench press record. The bench press was the only portion he chose to participate in. While he missed the record, he did complete 30 reps at 225 pounds after he weighed in at 323 pounds and stands 6-feet-3 inches tall.

A few quotes came from the various former Tide athletes during time with the media. Among the funniest was from D.J. Fluker when he responded to a question about former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o:

“He (Te’o) had to go against Chance Warmack,” Fluker quipped, “so we didn’t see him too much.”

Fluker also mentioned how he wanted to be the “Ray Lewis of my offensive line” during the meeting with the media.

Any Tide fan who also followed the NFL will be saddened to know that if Chance Warmack continues to show his belly like he did when he played for Alabama, the NFL will most likely fine him.

The next major event for the hopeful Alabama draftees will be the Pro Day in Tuscaloosa on March 14th. Many of the players that were unable to participate fully in the Combine are aiming for the 14th as their chance to show the NFL what they can do.