Something extraordinary could happen this week in the NFL Draft. Five defensive backs from the same college team could be drafted for the first time in the sport's history.

It's Alabama, of course, and it could actually be six players if an NFL team takes a chance on injured safety Hootie Jones.

That would be a dime package of drafts picks.

After poring through the NFL's draft database, I found seven instances of four defensive backs being drafted from the same college team. Michigan has done it twice, including last year and 50 years earlier in 1967. Oklahoma (2005), Nebraska (1997), Texas (1984) and Ohio State (1971) have all had four defensive backs drafted in the same year.

Missouri made the four-DB club in 1981, or long before it joined the SEC.

Alabama is expected to join the exclusive group this week, but it could go a step beyond everyone else and make history if all five of its secondary starters from last season are drafted.

Football trends faster and faster every year, and that's one of the reasons why so many clusters of defensive backs from the same schools have been drafted recently. In addition to Michigan's four defensive backs last season, Washington and Colorado each had three defensive backs drafted in 2017.

Among college football's top 100 programs all-time, at least three defensive backs from the same team have been drafted in the same year 39 times, by my count, and that includes the 1946 Notre Dame squad that had 16 draft picks. At least half of those guys were probably the size of modern-era cornerbacks and safeties, but let's not debate eras of college football today. Leading into this draft, Saban has had three defensive backs drafted in the same year twice, first in 2010 with Jackson, Javier Arenas and Marquis Johnson, and then again in 2012 with Barron, Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie.

Five will be historic if it happens. For perspective, that would put Alabama halfway to its all-time record of total draft picks in one season. The Crimson Tide set a school record last year with 10 draft picks. Texas holds the all-time record with 17 draft picks in 1984.

Nick Saban's on-field speciality is defensive backs, and this draft class might be his crowning achievement in player development. Yes, there's Minkah Fitzpatrick, the All-Everything safety, but there's also cornerback Levi Wallace, a former walk-on turned starter, who could be drafted in the later rounds.

Wallace might not be the fastest, and he might not be the strongest, but he was tough enough to beat out some blue chip prospects at Saban's Alabama. Chances are a NFL general manager or two might find that impressive.

Also expected to be drafted are cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Tony Brown and free safety Ronnie Harrison.

On the eve of the 12th NFL draft during Saban's reign at Alabama, is there a more direct path into pro football than playing defensive back for him? This will be the seventh year in a row that Saban has had at least one of his defensive backs drafted. Since 2008, his total number of Alabama defensive back draft picks entering this week stands at 14.

Since 2010, Alabama has had six defensive backs taken in the first round: Marlon Humphrey, Ravens, 2017; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Packers, 2014; Dee Milliner, Jets 2013; Mark Barron, Bucs, 2012; Dre Kirkpatrick, Bengals, 2012 and Kareem Jackson to the Texans in 2010.

Fitzpatrick is expected to be No.7, and if he's not the best of them all then he certainly is the most versatile. He started at cornerback as a freshman, and has played pretty much every position in the secondary during his three years at Alabama.

If you watched the sidelines during Alabama games last season, then you already know how much Saban respects Fitzpatrick's intellect and insight. Saban relied on Fitzpatrick to set the defense, but their relationship was much deeper than that. More often than not, Saban spoke directly to Fitzpatrick and no one else during defensive huddles.

His teammates say he's just like Saban from his mannerisms to his motor. There is no question Fitzpatrick's leadership helped Alabama reach another national championship, and this week's draft for Alabama's secondary will have not only Saban's, but Fitzpatrick's fingerprints all over it.

I had engaging interviews with Fitzpatrick several times last season, but I'll never forget our exchange after Alabama's 66-3 victory against Ole Miss. He said it wasn't enough to just win the game. Ole Miss had to be demoralized in the process.

"At the end of last season, we didn't finish," Fitzpatrick said after Alabama's lopsided victory. "I've been saying don't let them breathe. Don't let them have any moments to relax. Don't take any play off. Because it's all about us finishing and dominating the whole game from the first quarter all the way to the last."

Alabama's secondary didn't finish in the 2017 championship game, and Fitzpatrick never let his teammates forget that last season.

So many Alabama DBs have been preparing for this NFL Draft that it's kind of hard to keep track of them all. Fitzpatrick is the star, and Wallace is the former walk-on, but the other guys have their own signature styles as well.

Harrison will be remembered at Alabama for the frosted crimson twists in his hair, his speed in secondary and his intense demeanor during and after games. He was so upset after Alabama's loss to Clemson in the 2017 national championship that he refused to speak to anyone, and then launched a metal chair through the locker room.

Then there's Tony Brown, who fans affectionately started calling "Crazy Tony" last season. During a recent interview with Averett, I learned that Alabama's players actually call Brown "Crazy Tony," too.

Who would Averett like to have in his own episode of Saban's barbershop internet show?

"Crazy Tony, first and foremost," Averett said.

Of Alabama's defensive backs, Brown and Averett ran the fastest 40 times at the NFL Combine. Brown was clocked at 4.35 seconds, and Averett at 4.36 seconds. Averett kept a low profile during his time at Alabama, and wants to be remembered as Alabama's "silent assassin."

"I feel like I can do a lot of things without making a lot of noise," Averett said.

He's projected to be drafted in the third or fourth rounds on Friday, the second day of the NFL Draft. Due to injuries and depth at his position, Averett didn't start at Alabama until his fourth year at the school. Like so many players at Alabama, he considered transferring early in his college career. He said his family told him "don't give up."

"So, I just stayed on the course and things happened," Averett said. "I'm just lucky to be in this opportunity."

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for Alabama Media Group. He's on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.

FOUR DB-DRAFT CLUB

Michigan (2017 and 1967), Missouri (1981), Nebraska (1997), Ohio State (1971), Oklahoma (2005) and Texas (1984)

THREE DB-DRAFT CLUB (among top 100 college programs in wins)

Alabama (2012 and 2010), Baylor (1987), Cincinnati (2009), Colorado (2017, 2000 and 1977), Georgia (2006 and 2003), Florida State (1995), Miami (2006 and 2002), N.C. State (1983), Notre Dame (1994 and 1945), Ohio State (2006, 1997, 1995), Ole Miss (1960), Oregon (1990), Oregon State (2009), Penn State (2006), Rutgers (2013), South Carolina (2002), Texas (2011, 2007, 1997, 1980), UCLA (1989 and 1954), USC: (1981) and Washington (2017).