Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN’s draft expert, unveiled his latest mock draft on Wednesday, featuring two Alabama football players in the first round.
Kiper’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft includes Alabama players QB Jalen Milroe, OG Tyler Booker, and LB Jihaad Campbell as potential draft picks. The full mock is available, though it requires an ESPN+ subscription.
With over three months until the draft, there’s still plenty of time for prospects to move up or down the board. Currently, Alabama has three likely candidates for the draft: Milroe, Booker, and Campbell. Milroe remains a divisive prospect, while Booker and Campbell play less high-profile positions, which leads to uncertainty about whether Alabama will continue its streak of having at least one first-round pick in the last 16 drafts.
Kiper Jr.’s mock offers some hope for Alabama fans.
Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell in Kiper’s Mock Kiper has Tyler Booker as the first Alabama player selected, projecting him to go 16th overall to the Arizona Cardinals. Having previously ranked Booker as his No. 3 interior offensive lineman, Kiper now has him as the top IOL prospect in this mock. This pick would be welcomed by Arizona QB Kyler Murray, as Booker could immediately strengthen the Cardinals’ running game.
Following Booker’s selection, Kiper predicts the Cincinnati Bengals will pick LB Jihaad Campbell at No. 17. Despite stellar performances from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati missed the playoffs due to defensive weaknesses. Campbell’s addition would provide an instant upgrade, and his versatility would allow him to contribute in various defensive roles.
Notably absent from Kiper’s mock is QB Jalen Milroe. His draft stock varies widely, with some mocks placing him as high as No. 2 overall and others as low as the third round. It seems Milroe is battling for the No. 3 QB spot behind Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. While he may be ranked differently across draft boards, Milroe’s interviews could help boost his stock, as “it only takes one team to fall in love with you.”
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Former Alabama linebacker explains why he transferred to South Carolina
Justin Okoronkwo, a promising young linebacker, only spent one season with Alabama football before deciding to pursue a different opportunity. After the 2024 season, Okoronkwo transferred to South Carolina, entering the transfer portal just before the deadline.
This timing is significant, as it followed the announcements from inside linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson that they would be returning for another season with Alabama. Okoronkwo explained his decision in an interview with The State in South Carolina.
“I felt like the starting spots were already gone,” Okoronkwo said. “And, I mean, it’s hard to compete — especially at a place like Bama — with guys who are more experienced than you.”
Along with the return of Lawson and Jefferson, Alabama also secured Nikhai Hill-Green, a linebacker from Colorado. This made for a crowded room, even with Jihaad Campbell, a 2024 starter, declaring for the NFL Draft.
Faced with tough competition, Okoronkwo decided to seek opportunities elsewhere and found a new home with the Gamecocks. South Carolina needs to replace two starting linebackers for the 2025 season. He also noted that the program’s strength staff played a role in his decision.
“(It’s) very impressive, especially compared to Bama,” Okoronkwo said. “What they are doing there, I really like because it’s way more related to the game. Like what drills they do and what lifts they do. That really stood out to me.”
In his brief time at Alabama, Okoronkwo logged 39 defensive snaps in 2024, including 14 in the Missouri game. The former three-star recruit from Germany is now looking forward to his new chapter with South Carolina.
