Alabama football had two underrated studs on defense turn in marquee production in 2023.
Chris Braswell and Justin Eboigbe waited their time behind veterans upfront and were prepared to to be leaders for a defensive unit that took the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship. Braswell and Eboigbe played a huge role in Alabama returning to the College Football Playoff. Both decided to turn to the NFL Draft and participate at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Braswell and Eboigbe weighed in at the event, recording impressive measurements — especially wingspans.
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Braswell, a Maryland native, came to the University of Alabama as a highly sought-after five-star edge rusher in the 2020 recruiting class.
He arrived more touted than Will Anderson Jr., but Braswell waited behind five stars such Anderson, Drew Sanders, and Dallas Turner for an opportunity. He exploded with production in 2023 as a first-year starter, posting 10.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, a blocked field goal, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Braswell finished in the top 10 for total team tackles (42), regardless of being an edge rusher.
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 29, 2024
His measurements at the Senior Bowl included a 6-foot-3 height, 257 pounds, 9″ hands (9 3/8″), nearly 33″ arms (32 7/8″), and a wingspan of 80 7/8.” Most NFL Draft pundits have Braswell as a second-round pick. Others have him as a sleeper in the draft with Turner get so much attention.
People are going to be excited to watch him in 1-on-1’s at Reese’s Senior Bowl practices.
Eboigbe, a native Georgian, came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star defensive end in the 2019 signing class.
He suffered a neck/spine injury in 2022 that caused him to miss most of the season. Eboigbe wanted to bounce back and he used a fifth year to do so. He thoroughly increased his draft value in 2023, totaling 64 tackles. Eboigbe led all defensive linemen for the Tide in tackles and finished fourth on the team. He also had 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup. Eboigbe measured out at 6’4″ and 292 pounds at Senior Bowl weigh in. He possesses nearly 10″ hands (9 5/8″) and roughly 33″ arms (32 7/8″) with a 80 3/8″ wingspan. Eboigbe could be the biggest sleeper of the coming draft in April.
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 29, 2024
Both have an opportunity to show every professional scout and team what they have.
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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.
