Three Alabama underclassmen announce NFL draft decisions

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — We already knew Alabama would be losing of its several seniors after this season. Offensive lineman Kendall Randolph and linebacker Jaylen Moody have exhausted all eligibility. Plus, defensive backs Jordan Battle and DeMarrco Hellams, offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. and several others weren’t expected to use their extra COVID season.

All of that was expected. However, we weren’t sure which of Alabama’s draft-eligible underclassmen would join them. Quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. were obviously the two most likely to leave, but there were plenty of others worth monitoring.

As of Monday, we have our answer.

Another Alabama junior will be joining Young and Anderson as early entrants for the 2023 NFL Draft, which was made official during a press conference on Monday morning. That player is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, which doesn’t come as a shock after his standout performance in 2022.

Gibbs was extremely impressive during his lone season in Tuscaloosa.

The Georgia Tech transfer immediately came in and assumed leading back duties. Despite getting less than 200 touches, Gibbs put up 1,370 total yards (926 rushing, 444 receiving) while also scoring 10 times. He was also heavily relied on in games away from Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here are some of his top road performances:

• Kansas State: 17 touches, 142 yards
• LSU: 23 touches, 163 yards
• Tennessee: 29 touches, 151 yards, 3 TDs
• Arkansas: 20 touches, 226 yards, 2 TDs
• Texas: 18 touches, 96 yards, TD

There were multiple games where the versatile backfield piece led Alabama in receiving production.

In fact, his 44 catches this season led the team while his 444 yards finished third. Both of those numbers are the most from a running back during the Nick Saban era. The previous records were held by Najee Harris, who had 43 receptions for 425 yards in 2020. Gibbs averaged more yards per catch though (10.09 to 9.88).

Of course, we already know why Young and Anderson are leaving. Both of them are projected to be drafted in the top-5 come April.

In two seasons as the starter, Young completed 611 of his 927 pass attempts (65.9%) for 8,200 yards, 79 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. His 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns and seven intereceptions in 2021 were good enough to make him the first ever Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Alabama history.

Anderson wreaked havoc for three seasons in Tuscaloosa.

In 41 career games, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound defender had 204 tackles, 61.0 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, he also added 208 career pressures, which aided him in becoming one of the most decorated pass rushers in college football history.

Anderson ranks No. 2 in school history for career sacks, only trailing Alabama legend Derrick Thomas (52). He’s also the only Crimson Tide player to earn unanimous All-American status two times. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even heavily recruited by his homestate team, right?

Now, just because players such as defensive backs Brian Branch or Eli Ricks weren’t there to announce doesn’t mean that they won’t announce at a later date. A decision from both, as well as running back Jase McClellan, should be coming sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

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