As expected, three key pieces to Alabama’s championship run are leaving for the NFL, Tidesports.com reported.

RB Trent Richardson, LB Dont’a Hightower and CB Dre Kirkpatrick are expected to announce today at a news conference that they will bypass their senior seasons at Alabama.

The Crimson Tide won its second BCS title in three years Monday, whipping LSU, 21-0, in New Orleans.

In his most recent mock draft, Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande projects Kirkpatrick to be the first Tide player off the board at No. 7 by Jacksonville. Lande projects Richardson will go 16th to the New York Jets. Lande does not have Hightower being selected in the first round, but does have Tide teammate, safety Mark Barron, being taken 17th by Cincinnati.