‘Bama places four in first round, Upshaw left out

As history records, one should learn to “expect the unexpected” when it comes to the NFL Draft, and so was the case Thursday night in New York.

A total of four Alabama players (Richardson, Barron, Kirkpatrick, and Hightower) were selected in the first round of the 2012 Draft, but by all accounts, the number should have been five.

One of the most vital players from the 2011 Alabama team, and “arguably” the best defensive player from that squad, was not selected in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw…please stand up!

Upshaw, who was invited to New York, waited patiently for his name to be called; all the while watching his former Alabama teammates walk through the curtain over the course of two hours.

Most “experts” projected if an Alabama player would ride the “bubble” it would be Dont’a Hightower...not Upshaw. However, on the same hand, most "experts" seemed certain that Alabama would still have five players selected in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw will likely be chosen within the first five picks of the second round, but for a man who dominated the best college football conference in the land, he certainly deserved more for his resume.

‘Bama First Round

3-Trent Richardson (Cleveland)
7-Mark Barron (Tampa Bay)
17-Dre Kirkpatrick (Cincinnati)
25-Dont’a Hightower (New England)