Mr Palmetto is the author of the South Carolina blog, Garnet & Black. Be sure to check it out!

Led by probable lottery picks Trent Richardson and Courtney Upshaw, the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide will be well-represented at the NFL Scouting Combine beginning Feb. 22 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Richardson will be a Day 2 arrival in Indy, arriving the the 23rd and leaving the 26th. His schedule, like other running back, wide receiver and quarterback invitees, includes the following: medical examination, psychological testing, media interviews, NFLPA meeting and individual workouts.

Joining Upshaw and Richardson as potential first-round picks are cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Mark Barron and linebacker Donta Hightower. Kirkpatrick (6-foot-2, 192) is ranked by most analysts as the field’s second-best corner after LSU’s Morris Claiborne. Barron and South Carolina’s Antonio Allen are considered the draft’s best strong safeties.

Defensive tackle Josh Chapman, cornerback Quan Menzie and wide receivers Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze will join their Crimson Tide teammates as each try and improve their draft stock.

Alabama leads the SEC with nine combine invites, followed by LSU and Georgia with eight.