Bryce Young and Will Anderson are forever loved by Alabama fans, but their legend grew more on Friday.
Both decided to not opt-out of the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Kansas State.
According to ESPN’s Chris Lowe and Pete Thamel, the junior quarterback and outside linebacker told Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban they will play. Young and Anderson are projected top-five picks for the 2023 NFL Draft, and either one could be the No. 1 overall pick. Young brought Alabama its first Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in 2021 while Anderson is a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, and two-time Unanimous All-American. The native Georgian is the first player in Tide history to be a two-time Unanimous All-American. Both want to end their careers with a Sugar Bowl and give one last memorable performance to the fans. Alabama fans have their reactions below via social media.
Go out with a bang Fugg it https://t.co/eWSjUotb8a
— zy 𓅓⁶ (@__LilZy) December 16, 2022
ZERO opt outs for Bama! This is Alabama Football! #RollTide https://t.co/XV7Z5887Nb
— uppppppppp🥋🥋🥋🏈🐘🏆 (@whipplelwill) December 16, 2022
Incredible decision by these young men!! Competitors to the core!! Better than me.. I wouldn’t step back on the field for BOB or Golding…
— Trent Johnson 🐘 (@tidefan372002) December 16, 2022
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
— uppppppppp🥋🥋🥋🏈🐘🏆 (@whipplelwill) December 16, 2022
Class acts!
— Slapdash (@MoreCoase) December 16, 2022
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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.
