Alabama, Clemson again must deal with mass NFL exodus, but will it matter next season?

Alabama and Clemson will lose at least eight underclassmen in the wake of this week's championship game, including Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Clemson defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Dexter Lawrence, in the annual exodus of non-senior talent from college football's two powers into the upper ranges of the upcoming NFL draft.

In addition to Williams, the Crimson Tide announced left tackle Jonah Williams, tight end Irv Smith Jr. and running back Josh Jacobs are all leaving. All four of Clemson's losses come on defense: Ferrell, Lawrence, linebacker Tre Lamar and cornerback Trayvon Mullen.

Quinnen Williams was the Bowl Subdivision's breakout star of this past season, as a largely overlooked first-year starter who blossomed into the most dominant interior lineman in the country. Once a five-star recruit, Jonah Williams slid into the starting lineup as a true freshman and quickly earned a reputation as an elite protector.

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