Tide’s Wilson, Thompson also declare for NFL draft

Alabama’s list of early departures to the NFL grew to seven on Sunday, when junior inside linebacker Mack Wilson and redshirt junior safety Deionte Thompson announced via Twitter they had decided to forgo their final season with the Crimson Tide.

The seven underclassmen to declare for the draft are the most in Alabama history, topping the five who made themselves eligible last year (Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Da’Ron Payne, Calvin Ridley and Bo Scarbrough) and in 2014 (Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Adrian Hubbard, Cyrus Kouandjio, Jeoffrey Pagan and Vinnie Sunseri).

At least three players have left Alabama early for the NFL every year since 2011, with the exception of 2016, when only Derrick Henry and A’Shawn Robinson bypassed their remaining eligibility.

Wilson was a five-star signee in the 2016 class out of Montgomery. This past season, the 6-foot-2, 239-pounder amassed 71 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions.

“It’s been an amazing three years at the University of Alabama,” Wilson posted Sunday night, “competing for three national championships and winning one.”

Thompson, a four-star signee in 2015 out of Orange, Texas, tallied 79 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions this past season. Alabama lost its top six defensive backs after its 2017 national championship season, and hopes of more secondary stability this offseason have been dashed somewhat by the early departures of Thompson and junior cornerback Saivion Smith, who announced his NFL intentions Saturday.

“The opportunity to be a part of this organization has been undeniably life-changing, and it’s an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” Thompson wrote in his post. “Competing in four straight national championships with the best teammates in college football, earning my bachelor’s degree, and learning and growing with this community has helped me develop as an individual on and off the field.

“Bama Nation will always and forever have a big place in my heart.”

Running back Josh Jacobs, tight end Irv Smith, left tackle Jonah Williams and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams announced Friday they were forgoing their remaining eligibility. The deadline for college underclassmen to declare is today.