CFP Title Game: 10 potential New England Patriots draft prospects

9. CB Levi Wallace, Alabama

Levi Wallace, a product of my current hometown Tucson, AZ, is projected as a 4th to 6th round player, but that’s pretty solid for a player that was a walk-on at Alabama.

Now, Wallace is emerging as a star on the Crimson Tide defense.

"“A skinny 160-pound cornerback, Wallace walked on with the top-ranked Crimson Tide in 2014. He didn’t touch the field for his first two seasons or crack the starting lineup until Game 2 of his senior year.”"

Wallace is listed at 6’0″ tall and he’s bulked up to just 170lbs, but his play has been bigger than his physical appearance. Through 13 games in 2017, Wallace has 45 total tackles 2.0 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He didn’t have a takeaway in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson, but he certainly helped to create one.

Levi Wallace had the pass breakup on that play that helped to break the game wide open for Alabama. He has limited speed and skill, but he somehow manages to keep on making plays with his smarts. He’s even earned some praise from his head coach Nick Saban for how he has progressed from a walk-on to a starter on perhaps the nation’s best defense.

"“We’ve had a lot of walk-ons through the years that have done a really good job of becoming contributors to the team,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. “Levi’s probably done it as well as any of them.”"

Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler is set to become a free agent after this season, and New England may look for a cheaper replacement and let him walk. Stephon Gilmore will be the #1 corner while a competition will open up between Eric Rowe, Jonathan Jones, and others for the #2 job as a starter.