Nick Saban offers advice to Bryce Young, Will Anderson for NFL future

Alabama coach Nick Saban watched two of his best players walk off with a victory before their NFL careers. Bryce Young and Will Anderson could both go very high in the first round, if not No. 1 overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young, a star quarterback, won a Heisman Trophy last season while Anderson was regarded as one of the best, if not the best linebacker in college football. With both NFL bound after the Sugar Bowl victory over Kansas State, Saban still wanted the best for his players.

Even though it was their last game in a Crimson Tide uniform, Saban made a point to say how huge it was to have both guys in the bowl game.

“I want them to make the best business decision for themselves and their future,” Saban said. “And if you’re gonna be a high first round draft pick, the business decision has always been, it’s probably best to go out for the draft unless you have some other reason that you don’t feel you’re ready to do that. Or there’s some other goal that you have in mind that you want to accomplish, but that’s the advice that I’ve given all of our players through the years. I think these guys are probably more than deserving of that kind of attention when the draft rolls around.” 

Both players could’ve opted out and saved themselves health wise and from unnecessary hits.

“But I think these guys send a message to everybody that you create value for yourself by playing football,” Saban said. “You don’t create value for yourself by opting out and saying I’m gonna get ready for the draft. Because, what are you getting ready for? A combine? Half the stuff you do at the combine isn’t relative to football. 

“But when you play against good competition, and you play well, that creates value. And I think it speaks volumes of your character, and you choose to be a part of your team and you can be counted on to be a part of your team, regardless of the circumstances and you finish the season with your team.”

Young talked about Saban’s program building, leading to players like him and Anderson being set up for success in the long run.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s a blessing,” Young said. “I mean, all glory goes to God and, you know, to be able to be so highly regarded, I think it’s a reflection of Will, I think it’s a reflection of the program, a reflection of Coach Saban, You know, the foundation is laid for all of us at the program here, and really is a reflection of the team as well.

“I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, Will, my brother’s, you sacrifice and we’ve worked so hard to get (where we are). And you know my teammates are the reason why. I mean that really speaks to the volume of  the program and the players.”