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Report: Will Anderson provides the latest on his 2023 NFL Draft decision

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report12/07/22
Will Anderson, Alabama Crimson Tide edge rusher
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson clasps his hands together during a game on Sept. 24, 2022. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Alabama has a handful of prominent underclassmen who are weighing 2023 NFL Draft decisions, with star edge defender Will Anderson the most high-profile other than quarterback Bryce Young.

Anderson still seems to be mulling his options.

On SportsTalk 790 at the Rotary Lombardi Award Show interviews on Wednesday night, Anderson revealed that he still hasn’t decided what he’ll do.

Anderson is one of the most decorated defensive players in college football. He won the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2021 en route to being named a unanimous first-team All-American by the AFCA, AP, FWAA, The Sporting News and Walter Camp. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the both the AP and the league’s coaches a year ago.

He didn’t put up quite the same numbers in 2022, facing significantly more scrutiny from opposing offensive coordinators.

Even then his numbers were absurd, and Will Anderson remains a top 2023 NFL Draft target.

Anderson has logged 51 tackles, 17.0 tackles for a loss, 10.0 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup and 12 quarterback hurries as a junior for the Crimson Tide in 2022.

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Will Anderson 2023 NFL Draft decision will alter draft boards

Because Will Anderson’s NFL Draft decision will likely shake up the draft boards for several NFL teams — he’s that good a prospect — all eyes are on his decision.

Alabama came up short of the College Football Playoff, finishing No. 5 in the final CFP rankings.

That put the Crimson Tide into the Allstate Sugar Bowl against No. 9 Kansas State. That game will be played on Dec. 31 at noon in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.

Coach Nick Saban has been concerned about potential bowl game opt-outs, but news on that front has been mostly quiet so far.

“I think, you know, we’re going to coach the players that are there. I’ll try to coach them to do the best possible job that they can,” said Saban, before he complimented the players who did stick around.

‘We certainly have a great amount of appreciation and respect for the guys who, you know, are going to finish the the season with the team, and we’re going to do the best job that we can to help those guys, put those guys in a position where they have a chance to be successful. There’ll be some opportunity for some new guys, no question. But we’re looking forward to the challenge.”