3 Bama players among first 12 picked in NFL Draft

With a little suspense, the Carolina Panthers selected the Alabama Crimson Tide’s Bryce Young as the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

The 2021 Heisman trophy winner is the first Tide player to be picked first overall in the NFL draft in 75 years. The last play with that distinction? Another legendary QB —Harry Gilmer.

Three Players in Top 12

In total, 3 of the first 12 players picked last night for NFL Draft were members of the 2022 Tide squad that finished 5th in the final AP poll.

Besides Young, consensus All-American and Tide Team Captain Will Anderson, Jr. was selected 3rd overall by the Houston Texans. The Detroit Lions wrecked everyone’s “mock draft” predictions by drafting Bama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Drama with Anderson’s Pick

Anderson’s pick was the most dramatic move on Thursday night. Pretty much everyone was expecting the Arizona Cardinals to choose him with their 3rd pick. But, the Texans surprised everyone by trading their 12th pick among others to the Cardinals to move up 9 spots to get Anderson. 

The Texans pick also unites their new head coach,Tide great Demeco Ryans, with one of the Tide’s most decorated defensive players in school history.

More to Come

The NFL Draft’s 2nd and 3rd Rounds begin on Friday evening at 6PM Central tonight. Several players from the state of Alabama are likely to be selected. 

Watch this space for updates.