Anthony Averett played so well last season that NFL.com recently ranked Alabama's redshirt senior defensive back as the top cornerback to watch heading into this season.
After three years as a little-used reserve, Averett was so good in his first year as a starter that the New Jersey native could have turned pro after last season and possibly been an early-round pick in this year's NFL draft.
What many don't know is that Averett accomplished that last year and posted a team-high eight pass breakups despite playing most of the season through a sports hernia that he suffered during the second game of the season.