Brian Branch explains where he's at in deciding on NFL future

Joining his fellow draft-eligible teammates, Alabama safety Brian Branch is preparing for the Crimson Tide’s New Year’s Eve showdown versus Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl.

According to ESPN’s best-available board, Branch is the No. 1 draft-eligible safety, but the third-year player has yet to announce his plans beyond the postseason bowl game.

“I know I’m playing this game no matter what,” Branch said. “It’s something I want to do and something I want to take pride in. I want to finish the season strong.

“I haven’t even really thought about (the draft) yet. My mindset is on this game and this game only right now. As far as the NFL, that’s going to come, so I’m focused on Kansas State.”

Branch isn’t alone in wanting to cap the season off right with a win, despite not making the CFP this year. Quarterback Bryce Young and outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. also committed to playing the Wildcats for similar reasons.

“I wanted to finish with my teammates this season,” Young said. “There’s a lot of work, a lot that’s gone into this year, and I just get another chance to play with my brothers. That’s really how I look at it. This is a great opportunity for us as a team, for me, for all of us, and we’ve all had each other’s backs all year.”

“It was all just about leadership and being here for the team,” Anderson added. “I’ve been preaching so much over these last two years about how to do things the right way, the standard around here and how to uphold the standard. It wouldn’t be right for me to walk out on my teammates.”

Although Branch is keeping the focus on the Sugar Bowl, it’s highly probably he will declare after Dec. 31. He had the best season of his career in 2022, posting 78 tackles, two sacks and an interception for the Tide.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. One hundred underclassmen gained approval for last year’s draft. Seventy-three of those 100 underclassmen received special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.