Nick Saban knew he signed a great recruiting class for the University of Alabama in 2020, but next year’s NFL Draft may prove how marquee it was.
Alabama’s top-ranked 2017 signing class produced several first-round picks, including Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, Najee Harris, Jedrick Wills, Alex Leatherwood, Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, and Henry Ruggs III. Saban had an elite group in 2017, but the 2020 class may do something that has yet to happen under Saban. Will Anderson and Bryce Young are the top two overall players on Mel Kiper’s draft big board for 2023. Anderson is the No. 1 player on his board, and Young is No. 2 overall (No. 1 quarterback on the board). Saban has never had two players from Alabama go back-to-back as No. 1 and No. 2 in any draft.
.@MelKiperESPN has Bryce Young as his best overall QB in next year’s draft 👀
Check out the full rankings on @ESPNPlus ✍️ https://t.co/NzPYsOxfr9 pic.twitter.com/kpi8CNrQBv
— ESPN (@espn) June 1, 2022
Young and Anderson are prepared to set more school records and guide the team to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Both arrived as five stars in 2020 and the best in their respective positions.
Young secured the Heisman Trophy in 2021, becoming the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win it. Anderson won the Bronko Nagurski Award and Unanimous All-American honors. Both players earned permanent team captain honors.
Photo by Crimson Tide Photo
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If Anderson and Young become the first two players taken in next year’s draft, Coach Saban gains another recruiting boost.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
