College athletes have the power to do what they want now, but it is refreshing when one sees the ‘we’ and not ‘me’ mentality.
Bryce Young and Will Anderson accomplished a lot together at the University of Alabama. As freshmen, both came as five stars in the 2020 signing class and helped the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Young and Anderson won two Southeastern Conference Championships and numerous individual awards. Both are two-time permanent team captains for the Tide and look to end their careers with a Sugar Bowl ring. Some expected Young and Anderson to opt-out of the bowl game and prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft. However, both showed commitment to the program by deciding to play in the matchup.
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Alabama faces Kansas State on New Year’s Eve, and Anderson wanted nothing more than to be with his brothers.
“It is about leadership and being for the team,” Anderson said about his decision to play in the bowl game.
“I have been preaching so much over these two years about doing things right around here and playing to the standard. It would not be right for me to walk out on my teammates. That is the reason why I decided to play in this game and be with those guys.”
Anderson took home several awards this season — including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He became the first two-time Unanimous All-American in Tide history. The native Georgian has been the closest thing to former Tide legend Derrick Thomas; however, his honor of being a two-time permanent team captain has him the most excited about finishing his career against Kansas State.
“Everyone talks about the business part of football, but when you are a competitor, I just would not feel right if I did not play this game,” Anderson said.
He took time to praise his teammates, but Anderson also discussed how he does not think about the possibility of an injury at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder continues to play with fun and excitement.
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“I have faith in God, he makes no mistakes,” Anderson said. “Coach Saban and I talked about the risk factor, and that was never in my mind. I have played three years here, some of the hardest football of my life, SEC football, and if I had that mentality going into my freshman year, I probably would not be standing here now because I would be scared about getting hurt. I probably would have not achieved as much as I have. It is about having fun and not anything else.”
Young captured a Heisman Memorial Trophy in 2021, becoming the first quarterback in Alabama history to win it.
He collected many awards during his first season as a starter — including first-team All-SEC, Consensus All-American, Sporting News College Football Player of the Year, Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Manning Award, and Davey O’Brien Award. Young said he wanted to be with his brothers for the Sugar Bowl.
“I wanted to finish with my teammates,” Young said Monday.
“A lot has gone into this year and I get another opportunity to play with my brothers. That is how I look at it. This is a huge opportunity for us as a team, for me, for all of us. We’ve had each other’s backs all year, and it’s about holding each other accountable. We make sure that we hold ourselves to our standard. It was easy for me. I just want to go out there and play with my brothers.”
Alabama will practice in Tuscaloosa until Thursday before players go home for Christmas.
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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.
