Another NFL Draft has came and went, and Alabama did very well throughout the weekend. Ten Crimson Tide players were selected, which ties for the second-most of all time, the only other year with more being 2021 when 12 players were selected from the 2020 National Champions. While there was a chance Alabama could have four players selected in the first round, it was not to be, as DB Brian Branch fell to the second round.
However, for the first time in school history and first time at all since 1967, Alabama had the first offensive and first defensive player selected, with Bryce Young going first overall to the Carolina Panthers and Will Anderson going third overall to the Houston Texans. Jahmyr Gibbs was the other first rounder, going earlier than expected at 12th overall to the Detroit Lions. The rest of the drafted players went as follows:
Round 2 (45th Overall): DB Brian Branch, Detroit Lions
Round 3 (65th Overall): OT Tyler Steen, Philadelphia Eagles
Round 3 (70th Overall): DT Byron Young, Las Vegas Raiders
Round 3 (101st Overall): TE Cameron Latu, San Francisco 49ers
Round 5 (167th Overall): LB Henry To’o To’o, Houston Texans
Round 7 (224th Overall): S DeMarcco Hellams, Atlanta Falcons
A surprise name that was not drafted was Eli Ricks, who likely would have benefitted from another year in school. Ricks signed a UDFA deal with the Eagles. We will continue to track the progress of each of these players as they take the jump to the next level.
