TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The talent pool for the upcoming 2015 National Football League draft improved significantly when three prize juniors announced that they’re leaving the University of Alabama on Friday morning.

As expected safety Landon Collins, wide receiver Amari Cooper and running back T.J. Yeldon all confirmed during a press conference that they’re going pro.

The two unanimous All-Americans and co-captains, Collins and Cooper, are expected to be first-round selections and the top players available at their respective positions. Even though there’s a strong group of running backs this year Yeldon probably couldn’t improve his draft status by returning for another season.

Cooper leaves as Alabama’s all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Yeldon is fourth on the Crimson Tide’s all-time rushing list.

Not attending the press conference, which has become an annual event at Alabama since Nick Saban arrived in 2007, were defensive lineman Jarran Reed and linebacker Reggie Ragland. Both apparently have yet to make a decision.

The deadline for underclassmen to decide is Jan. 15. The draft will be April 30-May 2.

Collins issued the following statement:

“I can’t put into words what these past three years have meant to me not only in my development as a football player but even more importantly as a man. I came in as a 18 year old boy who wanted nothing more than to play for Coach Saban and wear the prestigious ‘A’ on my helmet. Coach Saban along with all the other coaches at Bama have not only mentored me on the field but also showed me the tools I would need to succeed in life outside of football. Hard work, dedication and discipline are not only words in a dictionary but the actual way of life taught to me during my time at the University of Alabama. I can honestly say I am a better man after spending the last three years in Tuscaloosa.

“Now that the time as come for me to take the next step in my journey I will dearly miss all my teammates who I sweat, cried and laughed with. I have no doubt it is true when they say the best time of your life is when you are playing college football and I wouldn’t have picked a different group of guys to spend that time with.

“Lastly but certainly not least I want to thank all the Roll Tide fans that took a young man from New Orleans and took him in as one of their own. I fed off the passion you all showed every Saturday at the games and can’t start to thank you for enough being the BEST FANS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL!”