Alabama underclassmen hot NFL prospects

As for the NFL, Ingram said: "My main focus now is preparing ourselves to play a great bowl game and finish the season strong and get a 10-win season. Then after the bowl game, I'll sit down with coach and my family, and we'll make a decision."

Three Tide teammates have parlayed an early jump into the first round the past two years. Offensive tackle Andre Smith went sixth overall to Cincinnati in 2009. Last season, the Raiders picked linebacker Rolando McClain (eighth) and Houston took less-heralded cornerback Kareem Jackson at No. 20.

"It's just different for every individual," McElroy said. "You look at a guy like Kareem Jackson last year, who probably if you would have asked, we all would have said, 'Yeah. Maybe play another year. Not sure where you're gonna go.'

"He ends up going the 20th overall pick, signing a big contract and now he's starting for the Texans. I think that's something that has to be weighed individually by the players, what their needs are, where they are in their academic requirements and just what they want to accomplish."