Bryce Young headlines Alabama trio officially heading to the NFL Draft

Tuscaloosa, Alabama - What the college football world had been speculating about for Alabama stars Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr, and Jahmyr Gibbs became official on Monday: the trio of Crimson Tide players will enter the 2023 NFL draft.

The Alabama star trio Will Anderson Jr. (l), Bryce Young (c), and Jahmyr Gibbs (r) all declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday.
The Alabama star trio Will Anderson Jr. (l), Bryce Young (c), and Jahmyr Gibbs (r) all declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday.  © Collage: WESLEY HITT / CHRIS GRAYTHEN / DONALD PAGE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The three student-athletes made their official announcement in a press conference with their head coach Nick Saban.

Young, one of the most accomplished and talented passers in all of college football the past three seasons, is projected to be the first pick in the Draft.

"Coming here was the best decision of my life," the 2021 Heisman winner told reporters. "I'm forever grateful for the University of Alabama."

Linebacker Anderson Jr is also among the most accomplished players from Alabama and one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history.

"These past three years you have been very special for us," Saban told Anderson. "You've been doing a really good job, you're a top pick and, you know, to just go out there."

As the Crimson Tide's only two-time unanimous All-American, Anderson Jr's list of honors includes two Nagurski Trophies, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020 and 2021.

This season, he also garnered the Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Lott Trophy - all honors given to the nation's best defensive player in college ball.

Running back Gibbs also has the potential to be a late first-round NFL draft pick. This season, the Georgia Tech transfer led Alabama in rushing yards (926) and receiving catches (44).

Will Alabama go 1-2 in the 2023 NFL Draft?

With Will Anderson Jr. (l) and Bryce Young (c), Alabama will have the potential to become the first program to garner back-to-back NFL Draft picks since Penn State in 2000.
With Will Anderson Jr. (l) and Bryce Young (c), Alabama will have the potential to become the first program to garner back-to-back NFL Draft picks since Penn State in 2000.  © CHRIS GRAYTHEN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

While the Crimson Tide is known for its dominance in college football, it has been almost been 75 years since Alabama last had a player drafted to the NFL No. 1 overall.

Harry Gilmer was selected by Washington at the start of the 1948 draft, the Tide's last top pick.

Alabama hasn't had a player chosen No. 2 overall since 1987, when Cornelius Bennett went to the Indianapolis Colts.

Under the legendary Saban's tenure, the Crimson Tide has only reached a high of a No. 3 pick a number of times – Chris Samuels (2000), Marcell Dareus (2011), Trent Richardson (2012), and Quinnen Williams (2019).

This year, however, Saban has a chance to earn not only the No. 1 draft pick with Young, but also the No. 2 pick with Anderson.

The last time two teammates were selected as the No. 1 and 2 overall picks in an NFL draft was in 2000, when Penn State’s Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington were chosen back-to-back.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go down April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cover photo: Collage: WESLEY HITT / CHRIS GRAYTHEN / DONALD PAGE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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