Nick Saban will be none too pleased to hear this news get unveiled early.

Barry Sanders, Jr.

According to Barry Sanders, Jr., the son of former Detroit Lions great and Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, Alabama running back Mark Ingram will declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. The Heritage Hall running back briefly met with Saban on Wednesday, and Sanders said Saban told him the former Heisman Trophy winner will be leaving Tuscaloosa early.

“He just said, ‘We need running backs,’” Sanders said. “How Trent [Richardson] would be a senior if I were to go [to Alabama]. He told me Ingram’s leaving, he’s making it public probably Friday.”

Saban visited Heritage Hall on Wednesday and spent time watching film on Sanders with athletic director Rod Warner before receiving a tour of the school.

We mentioned earlier in the season that Sanders had narrowed his list of potential colleges to four: Alabama, UCLA, Florida State and Oklahoma State. Of course, his famous father played in Stillwater for the Cowboys, but Sanders has said that he is not being pushed to follow the same road as his dad.

The 5-9, 185-pound junior is one of the top running back prospects in the nation for 2012. His college decision is one of the more highly anticipated across the country not just because of his name but because of his YouTube-worthy talent, as well.

Could we possibly see Sanders, Jr. in a Crimson Tide jersey in the not-so-distant future?

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave