Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr have declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, adding two elite talents to an already loaded draft pool.
Young and Anderson both played in the team’s 45-20 Sugar Bowl victory over Kansas State. They played an integral role in the win, with Young throwing five touchdowns and Anderson’s defense holding the Wildcats to 10 points in the final three quarters after they initially took a 10-0 lead.
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Jahmyr Gibbs, a standout running back and a projected top-50 pick, also announced on Monday that he will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Young, one of the top 2023 NFL Draft QB prospects, is one of the best players in Alabama history. The 6-foot quarterback won a CFP national championship in 2023, earned the 2021 Heisman Trophy and was named Sugar Bowl MVP on Saturday.
- Bryce Young college stats (career): 8,356 pass yards, 80-12 TD-INT, 165 QB rating
While there are some concerns regarding Young’s size and durability, he is the projected No. 1 pick. After two seasons as Alabama’s starting quarterback, Young provides above-average athleticism as a quarterback with high-end arm strength, outstanding accuracy and is viewed as a pro-ready starter mentally.
Anderson – a 6-foot-4 edge rusher – has been one of the best defensive players in college football over the past two seasons. Projected as a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, there is a strong possibility Anderson is selected with the No. 2 pick by the Chicago Bears if Houston selects Young first overall.
- Will Anderson Jr stats (career): 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks
He finished fifth in the Heisman voting in 2021, recording 17.5 sacks with 31 tackles for loss in 15 games. He profiles as a perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher at the next level.