Will Anderson says Alabama players were not considering opting out of Sugar Bowl

Even though Alabama missed the College Football Playoff this season, the Crimson Tide won’t have any players opt out of the Sugar Bowl. Will Anderson, a team captain and projected first-round draft choice this April, discussed the decision to come back for one last ride.

“Me and Bryce [Young] could put our stuff aside, come back and play in this game – I feel like everybody else could do that,” Anderson said Monday. “We made a commitment to [the team], and that’s the biggest thing, being all in and being committed. But no other guys have really talked about opting out or anything like that. All the guys have been really locked in and have a point to prove.”

Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, also decided to come back for Alabama’s bowl game. Young said that he’s put in too much work with this squad to leave them early, and is ready for one last go donning crimson and white.

He could be the No. 1 overall pick when it’s all said and done, and he has nothing to gain by winning the Sugar Bowl. The same could be said about Anderson, who explained the reasoning behind the duo’s decision to run it back.

“It was all just about leadership and being here for the team,” Anderson said. “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. I think that’s a big reason why I decided to play in this game and play with those guys.”

Kansas State, the Tide’s Sugar Bowl opponent, won’t have any opt outs, either – a rarity in today’s college football landscape. Kickoff between the Tide and Wildcats is set for Noon ET on New Year’s Eve live on ESPN.