Bryce Young and Will Anderson Make History at NFL Draft

Two five-stars committed to The University of Alabama in 2020. Two national champions as freshman in 2020. Two captains cemented twice at Denny Chimes for their tremendous leadership in 2021 and 2022.

Two teammates drafted No. 1 and No. 3 overall Thursday in the 2023 NFL Draft. Young and Anderson made history in many ways, notably becoming to be the first collegiate teammates to be the first offensive and defensive players off the board since the NFL merged in 1970.

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There was much debate in March who would go first overall: Young, Anderson, Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud or Jalen Carter. After Carter's arrest in March, he dramatically fell down draft boards, leading him to be selected ninth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.

A couple of weeks into March, the Chicago Bears traded their No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers, ultimately lowering Anderson's odds of going first overall. Therefore it was a three-horse race between Young, Stroud, and Richardson.

Stroud scoring an 18% on the S2 cognitive tests, pushed Young and Richardson to the top. Despite Richardson's generational athleticism, Young's higher floor, proven record, and 98% S2 score ultimately made him a formality to be selected by the Panthers first overall.

Harry Gilmer was the only Alabama player to be ever selected with the first pick, but it was before the modern NFL Draft. Prior to Young being drafted, outside linebacker Cornelius Bennett was the highest Alabama draft pick, selected No. 2 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1987.

Young became the first Alabama player selected No. 1 overall in the modern NFL Draft, also becoming the highest drafted Alabama player in the Saban era. Quinnen Williams (2019), Trent Richardson (2012), and Marcell Dareus (2011) previously were tied for the highest Saban players ever drafted.

Anderson made that a four-horse race, now tied for second place behind Young. Not only did Young and Anderson join elite company, they became the highest drafted Alabama teammates in NFL Draft history. They also became the first Alabama players drafted in the top 3 and top 5 picks of any NFL Draft.

Not only are Young and Anderson two five-stars, two national champions, two captains, two first round picks, but more importantly they are two brothers united for life at the University of Alabama.