For only the second time in program history, Alabama had two players chosen within the first two picks of the 2023 NFL Draft — Bryce Young (No. 1 overall) and Will Anderson (No. 3 overall). That had not happened since 1948, when the Tide had three players taken among the first five.

According to an early projection from ESPN, it could happen again in 2024.

A “way-too-early” mock draft released Thursday by ESPN’s Todd McShay predicted Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner would be the No. 4 pick in 2024, followed by cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 5. They were joined in the first-round projection by offensive tackle J.C. Latham at No. 26.

In a separate analysis by ESPN, draft analyst Jordan Reid named Turner as the 2024 prospect he is most excited to watch.

“While studying Anderson, the player on the opposite edge kept popping on the screen,” Reid wrote.

McKinstry, Turner and Latham were all five-star recruits in Alabama’s 2021 class that would neeed to enter the draft early in January as juniors.

McShay was joined this week in publishing an early 2024 mock draft by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who predicted Turner would be taken at No. 5, McKinstry at No. 9 and Latham at No. 13.

Alabama has other players who will be part of the 2024 draft. Kicker Will Reichard and offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt will exhaust their college eligibility this season, while Justin Eboigbe (redshirt senior) will join other seniors in running backs Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams; wide receiver Jermaine Burton; center Seth McLaughlin; defensive lineman Tim Smith; outside linebackers Chris Braswell and Quandarrius Robinson; inside linebacker Trezmen Marshall; defensive backs Malachi Moore and Kristian Story as seniors who could theoretically play another season in 2024 under the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver but could also turn pro.

Turner, McKinstry and Latham are joined as draft-eligible redshirt sophomores or juniors by quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Jalen Milroe; wide receivers Ja’Corey Brooks, Malik Benson and Thaiu Jones-Bell; tight ends CJ Dippre, Robbie Ouzts and Miles Kitselman; offensive linemen Jaeden Roberts, James Brockermeyer and Terrence Ferguson; defensive linemen Jamil Burroughs, Jah-Marien Latham, Damon Payne, Anquin Barnes, Monkell Goodwine and Tim Keenan; outside linebacker Keanu Koht; inside linebackers Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Kendrick Blackshire and Ian Jackson; defensive backs Terrion Arnold and DeVonta Smith; and punter James Burnip.

McShay added a disclaimer to his “way-too-early” projections Thursday.

“Now, this is an extremely early prediction,” he wrote. “I’ve only watched limited tape on next year’s prospects, and most of this is based on early talk around the league and what I’ve seen from the 2024-eligible players while digging in on 2023 tape.”

In his “way-too-early” 2023 mock draft published in May 2022, McShay accurately predicted Young and Anderson would become top-three picks along with C.J. Stroud, and also accurately pegged running back Jahmyr Gibbs as a first-round pick. But McShay predicted three other Alabama players would go in the first round — Eli Ricks at No. 10 along with Henry To’o To’o and Emil Ekiyor. Of those three, only To’o To’o was drafted last month, in the fifth round. Ricks and Ekiyor went undrafted.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.