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Draft decisions by Alabama's Young, Anderson could put them in rarefied air

Bryce Young announces his intention to enter the NFL draft during a press conference for University of Alabama juniors to announce their intentions. Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

Draft decisions by Alabama's Bryce Young, Will Anderson could put them in rarefied air

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/2/23

Alabama QB Bryce Young and LB Will Anderson Jr., who both declared for the NFL Draft on Monday, have a realistic shot at becoming the first teammates drafted first and second overall since 2000.

Young is widely expected to be the first overall pick of the Texans, although that could change if Houston (2-13-1) wins in Week 18 and Chicago (3-13) loses. In that scenario, the Bears would have the first overall pick and Texans the second.

Young started the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He finished 23-4 as a starter and second in program history in passing yards (8,356) and touchdown passes (80).

Anderson Jr. was hailed as one of the best players in college football the past two seasons and is a consensus top-five prospect in the draft. He will be under consideration for Chicago wherever it picks.

Anderson finished his college career with 204 tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss, 34.5 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Young joked about his lack of excitement at seeing Anderson at the next level as the two made their draft announcement alongside running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Bryce Young on what he would say to Will Anderson about finally having the chance to hit him full speed at the next level: “Please take it easy. Remember all the good times we had … Before we play I’ll probably send him a picture of us from freshman year together.”
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 2, 2023

Per data from Stathead, Young and Anderson could become the first teammates since Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown (Cleveland) and linebacker LaVar Arrington (Washington) in 2000 to be drafted first and second overall.

Only two other times have teammates gone first and second overall in the draft. In 1984, Nebraska wide receiver Irving Fryar was drafted first overall by New England, followed by offensive tackle Dean Steinkuler, who was selected by the Houston Oilers.

In 1967 — the first year of the NFL-AFL draft merger — Michigan State teammates defensive end Bubba Smith (Baltimore Colts) and running back Clint Jones (Minnesota) were drafted with the top two picks.

If Young goes first overall, he'll be the first Alabama player chosen first overall in the NFL Draft. Joe Namath was drafted first overall in the 1965 AFL Draft.

In 1987, LB Cornelius Bennett became the lone Alabama player taken in the top two of the NFL Draft during the Super Bowl era (post-1966). The Colts selected him second overall, but they traded him to Buffalo after contract negotiations fell through.

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