The Alabama Crimson Tide just wrapped up its 2022 season with a 45-20 victory over Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

With the conclusion of the season comes decisions for the 2023 season and as expected Alabama's outstanding edge defender Will Anderson has declared for the NFL draft.

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Anderson was one of three Alabama players declaring for the NFL draft. He joins quarterback Bryce Young and running back Jahmyr Gibbs in deciding to leave school early for the NFL.

"First I just want to give a huge shoutout to the University of Alabama. These past three years have been the best years of my life. They've taken care of me and my family. To coach Saban, thank you so much for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I remember I was just a freshman and you were on my butt everyday at practice. To my coaches, my position coaches, coach Sal, coach Hutzler, thank you for coaching me up, showing me a lot of love, showing my people a lot of love, getting me to this point.

To all my teammates, I thank ya'll so much for believing in me, trusting in me, giving me confidence to be able to go out there and do my job and help you guys out and just being able to to respond to me as a good a leader and all those good things. I also have to shoutout to my family. They've been my backbone during this whole time. My mom, my dad, all my sisters, my aunties, my grandma, my grandad, I love you guys so much. Thank you for all the love and support. The good times, the bad times, the hard times, you guys stood by my side. Waking up at 3 a.m. and crying in the morning, ya'll were always there for me. I appreciate you guys.

I have to give all the glory to God. Thank you to Josh, Alex, Sid, E.P., all the staff that works here. It just speaks volumes to the people that's here because not only did they take care of me, but they really took care of my family and if you know me you know I'm really big on family. For them to open up to us with welcome arms and help us like that and just love on us, it just means the world to me.

To all the media guys, thank you guys for being so respectful every time I was up here. Thank you guys for treating my family with respect every time you seen them somewhere out in public. You guys are very appreciated. I just wanted to thank the University of Alabama again, ya'll will always hold a special place in my heart. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2023 draft. Thank you and Roll Tide."

Anderson is considered to be a top three pick in the coming spring's NFL draft, with many considering him to be the top defensive player available. He will be competing with his teammate Bryce Young and defensive tackle Jalen Carter to be the first overall selection.

Alabama vs Auburn 2022

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