Robert Lester, S, Alabama Crimson Tide: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad defensive back Robert Lester of Alabama (37) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 220 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: 4.60

Bench Press: 7

Vertical Jump: 34.5″

Broad Jump: 121″

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights (via Alabama athletics site)

2012 (SENIOR): Veteran staple of the Alabama secondary … named honorable mention All-SEC by the AP … has started all 13 games in 2012 and 39 in his career … boasts team-best four interceptions, tied for sixth in the SEC … has 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss (-11 yards) and 1.5 sacks (7 yards), plus a fumble recovery and three pass breakups … tied for fifth in career interceptions at Alabama (14) and eighth in interception return yardage (183).

2011 (JUNIOR): An honorable mention All-American by SI.com after earning second-team Walter Camp All-American in 2010, Robert Lester started all 13 games at strong safety … registered 39 tackles on the season with three pass breakups, a forced fumble, 1.5 tackle for loss (-2 yards) and a blocked field goal … intercepted his first pass of the season at Mississippi and returned it 30 yards and then notched his second pick against LSU … named the UA coaching staff Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against North Texas.

2010 (SOPHOMORE): Lester started all 13 games at the safety position for the Crimson Tide in 2010 … second-team All-SEC choice … Walter Camp second-team All-American … totaled 52 tackles, including 29 solo stops to rank tied for sixth on the team … recorded one sack for a loss of nine yards … tallied a SEC-best eight interceptions, which ranked second nationally and ties Harry Gilmer (1946) for the second most in a single season in school history … returned those eight interceptions for 102 yards … returned a fumble 89 yards … was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week following his two-interception performance at Arkansas … finished second nationally with .62 per game.

2009 (FRESHMAN): He garnered playing time in eight games … played in his first contest in a Crimson Tide uniform against North Texas … tallied eight tackles on the season, including six solo stops on the season … named the Alabama Special Teams Player of the Week against Tennessee-Chattanooga. North Texas: Came off the bench and recorded two tackles, including a solo stop.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Even going into the 2011-12 season, he was considered one of the best safeties in the country, and a year later, nothing has changed. For three straight years, Lester will be one of the best free safety prospects in the country. As a sophomore in 2010, he had eight interceptions and looked like one of the best playmakers in the country. He only had two in 2011, but he is still a very high impact player for the Tide. He has an excellent combination of size and speed, and I’m excited to see him develop into the leader role that will be left behind by 5th overall pick Mark Barron, his running mate at safety the last two seasons. Really does a little bit of everything snatching interceptions, forcing fumbles, and blocking kicks. Versatile player who is a leader on the ‘Bama defense and will have an impact in the NFL. Lester does a great job of knowing his assignments and is a veteran college starter who brings a ton of in-game experience to the NFL, something coaches will also really like. He’s not the fastest player on the field, but for his size, he can move.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)