When star linebacker Dre Greenlaw was debating his NFL future, he came across eye-opening words from his adopted father, Brian Early, whose intentions were to convince him to leave the 49ers.

Kirkpatrick's first order of business? Breaking down his father's highlight reel tape. Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., a Gadsden native, was an Alabama cornerback from 2009-11 and won two BCS national ...