With the 2012 NFL Draft now a thing of the past, it’s time for the football world to look to the future, when the games will actually be played. How will the highly touted rookies perform when they stop being prospects and start being rookies?

Step aside, “The U.” Alabama is new premier NFL prospect factory. The national champion Crimson Tide is expected to have five players drafted in the first round Thursday night, which would be only the fifth time that has happened since the common draft began in 1967.

Trent Richardson, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw stood out at Alabama’s pro day on Thursday.

Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick solidified his high first-round grade at Wednesday’s pro day.