Understandably so, much of the NFL Draft decision news for the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday revolved around Jalen Milroe’s declaration that he’d be leaving Tuscaloosa for the professional ranks. But two more huge dominoes also fell on Thursday with Tide stars announcing their leave.
Junior guard Tyler Booker, who established himself over the last two years as one of the best offensive linemen in the entire country, announced via X that he was going to be headed to the draft:
Roll Tide for Life🐘❤️ pic.twitter.com/qY0yYMVzxh
— Tyler Booker🦍 (@iamtylerbooker) January 2, 2025
Similar to Milroe, he thanked coaches including both Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, teammates, and fans for making his time in college so special and significant.
Along with Booker, junior linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who also stepped up in a huge way this season especially after injury to running mate Deontae Lawson late in the year, announced he too was entering the draft pool:
🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/lSMn4Tvshr
— Jihaad Campbell (@RealJihaadC) January 2, 2025
Perhaps more important than any single impact both players had on the field, was what they did off the field, along with Milroe and others in the transition from Saban to DeBoer. Booker and Campbell declared definitively as dozens of their teammates rushed for the portal that they weren’t going anywhere and would be finishing off their careers in Tuscaloosa.
RELATED: Jalen Milroe leaving Alabama, officially declares for NFL Draft
While things were far from perfect during year one of the DeBoer era, they certainly could have been a lot worse without the steady hand of leadership that players like Booker and Campbell offered. Both will be remembered as Alabama legends at the next level for that reason.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
