Every year, college football rosters across the country are filled with several talented upperclassmen who either underachieve by their standards, battle through injuries that limit their production, or simply fail to reach their full potential with their respective programs. These factors often result in many players looking to give Sunday talent evaluators a third, fourth, or even fifth look by participating in collegiate All-Star games to successfully display what they can bring to the table each January and February, before all attention turns to the NFL combine.
This is the case for several former Alabama football players as the All-Star circuit begins this coming week.
This approach has proven to be valuable in the past, with former Tide players like Que Robinson, who caught the eye of the Denver Broncos brass at the East-West Shrine Bowl, and Tim Smith, who also flashed in front of Indianapolis Colts scouts at the Senior Bowl. Both solidified their Sunday statuses at the next level. These weekends competing against other NFL prospects went a long way for the two Alabama defenders, as Robinson ultimately heard his name be called in the 4th round, with Smith getting that same call in the 6th round last April.
These three Alabama players have a lot to prove in the pre-draft process
1. CB Domani Jackson
Domani Jackson hopes to achieve the same feat by participating in the Shrine Bowl. The senior cornerback finds himself in this predicament after first transferring from USC to Alabama in 2024, where he played two seasons in the Crimson Tide secondary.
During this transition, Jackson had initially become an impact starter as a junior, logging 13 starts and securing two interceptions, along with 52 tackles. This promising production in year one gave many Tide fans the hope that Jackson would blossom into one of college football's best defensive backs, as he opted to return for his senior campaign in Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, in 2025, the California native saw totals drop to around 39 tackles, one pass defended, and no interceptions.
Jackson's decline was attributed to a combination of factors, such as defensive scheme adjustments that shifted him into different coverage roles, opposing quarterbacks avoiding throws to his side, and, most notably, the emergence of talented true freshman CB Dijon Lee. Jackson's recent decline now leaves him out on a mission with a lot to prove coming into this week.
2. RB Jam Miller
This same prove-it attitude is carried by Alabama senior running back, Jam Miller, as he prepares to take his talents up the road to Hancock Whitney Stadium at the Reese's Senior Bowl on Saturday. The Tyler, Texas native has a lot to prove after having an injury-riddled and underwhelming 2025 season.
Many Tide fans expected Miller to take the next step, coming off the heels of a breakout junior year where he rushed for a career-high 668 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 155 yards receiving on 16 receptions for an additional score. Some may argue his production was stunted after breaking his collarbone in fall camp last August, which led to him being sidelined for the first four games of Alabama's season. On the other hand, others mostly attribute Miller's fall off to the Tide's inability to an inconsistent offensive line and questionable vision. These factors showed as the 5-foot-10, 220-pound tailback only managed to record 504 yards and three touchdowns, along with 109 receiving yards on 19 receptions through 11 games of action.
That underwhelming play has Miller now looking to show talent evaluators in Mobile what he can bring to the forefront for an NFL franchise when healthy.
3. DL LT Overton
Overton finds himself in a similar boat after many believed the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder turned a corner after he racked up three tackles for loss, combined with 42 total tackles for two sacks through 13 contests in 2024 in his first season.
Overton had a solid senior season, but his production didn't take off as much as expected. Worse yet, he missed the SEC Championship Game and opening round of the College Football Playoff with a mystery illness/injury that could have NFL decision-makers concerned.
Nonetheless, with many unofficial mock drafts have all projected Jackson, Miller, and Overton to be day two or three picks, these collegiate All-Star games could make all the world's difference for these particular Alabama players if they can each successfully string together a good week of practice, combined with strong individual showings amongst other potential league prospects who are also looking to make a name for themselves.
If the Tide trio can do so, then it'll be interesting to see where each player can possibly end up three months from now when NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell takes the podium in Pittsburgh for draft weekend come this spring.