In a move which comes as no surprise, three of Alabama’s top players from this season are set to turn pro. In a joint announcement made on Monday, quarterback Bryce Young, pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. and running back Jahmyr Gibbs confirmed that they are declaring for the upcoming NFL draft. 
Young made seven appearances as a freshman in 2020, but took over as the team’s starter the following year. That campaign saw him re-write the school’s record books and establish himself as a serious candidate to be the top quarterback in the 2023 class. Young threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns as a sophomore; both figures rank first in single-season program history.
That made him an unsurprising Heisman winner, and led to the expectation that a repeat performance could be on tap in 2022. Young took a step back this season, but still totaled over 3,000 passing yards for the second straight year – another unprecedented feat for an Alabama passer – while playing three fewer games. A weakened offensive line and skill-position corps have generally not been held against him, putting Young squarely in contention to be this year’s No. 1 pick.
That could especially hold true if the Texans wind up with the top draft slot for this spring. They are widely believed to be in need of a short- and long-term move at quarterback, and Young’s demonstrated ability as a pocket passer (albeit one who, at 6-0, 197 pounds, faces size concerns) could address that need. Young has a realistic chance of becoming the first member of the Crimson Tide to be selected first overall since 1948.
Anderson is likewise expected to face a very short wait on draft night before hearing his name called. He flashed plenty of potential as a freshman with seven sacks, and took a massive step forward in 2021. The 6-4, 235-pounder led the country in sacks (17.5) en route to a number of individual accolades including SEC Defensive Player of the Year and being named a consensus All-American.
Anderson repeated both of those feats in 2022, a season in which he racked up another 10 sacks. His decorated resume led to sky-high expectations for this past campaign, and his inability to fully live up to them contributed to midseason speculation that he would be overtaken by Young or another defender (likely Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter) as the No. 1 overall prospect. Regardless of where he lands in the NFL, Anderson is likely to make an immediate impact off the edge.
Gibbs transferred to Alabama from Georgia Tech last offseason, and enjoyed a career year after the move. He posted 926 rushing yards (at a clip of 6.1 per carry) and seven touchdowns, adding 444 yards and another three scores in the passing game. That dual-threat ability has him in first-round consideration alongside Texas tailback Bijan Robinson.
Young and Gibbs took part in Alabama’s Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State, a notable distinction from a number of other high-profile college players who declare early for the draft. They, alongside Anderson, are primed to become the latest Crimson Tide products who feature predominantly in the spring on their way to the NFL.
Bama hasn’t produced a #1 pick for 75 years? Good lord
Pretty wild for a school that’s produced 12 top 15 picks in the last four years.
Young is hands-down the best QB prospect in this draft right now, but you never know who’s going to fall in love with the taller guy who looks better wearing shorts in a workout (as opposed to the guy who looks better actually playing the game).
Young and Anderson probably go 1-2 in the draft right?
I could see Carter going ahead of Anderson, and you never know if a QB will go higher because QB, but I’d be amazed if he wasn’t top five.
Carter is a beast, maybe the best player in the draft. Teams just tend to pick edge rushers ahead of D-linemen.
Generally, yes, but teams do love a good interior rusher, and Carter looks like a really rare one. Eberflus loves a three technique he can build his defense around. Remember how much money they tried to give Ogunjobi?
bryce bout to look good in that raiders uniform
Did they trade spots with Texans. Texans will grab him at 1
Yes they did they traded spots.
I’m not drafting young number 1 overall. He’s too undersized and probably plays the QB position like he’s a RB. He’ll get crushed in the NFL
“Probably plays the position like a running back”? So you’ve never watched him play or looked at his stats, but you know he’s black.