A few weeks of speculation followed Alabama’s Iron Bowl victory and last Friday’s first practice for the Sugar Bowl.
Whether Will Anderson and Bryce Young would be suitable for a rare non-playoff bowl game was perhaps the most discussed aspect surrounding the early December stoppage time. about an hour before this first exercise, the news has come they would, in fact, be playing in the bowl game despite the NFL’s top 5 draft drafts.
Nick Saban addressed this decision Friday while the two the players had their turn at the microphone Monday. Everyone talked a lot about the culture of the program and where it fits in with leadership playing a role.
The other question to consider: what are their top-performing peers doing about non-elimination bowl games?
While a number of potential top picks are competing in the semifinals, quite a few faced the same decision as Anderson and Young.
Most withdrew.
Florida State defenseman Jared Verse is an exception as the transfer from Albany will play in the Cheez-it Bowl against Oklahoma.
The player with the most comparable situation to the Alabama pair was Clemson’s Myles Murphy. The Tigers take on Tennessee in the Orange Bowl, but the potential top-5 pick opted out. The defensive end would have become the first healthy player to retire from a bowling game during the Dabo Swinney era. The Vols will also be shorthanded, with star receivers Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt also retiring.
Other outs included quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky), running back Bijan Robinson (Texas) and cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. (Texas). (Penn State) and Christian Gonzalez (Oregon). Porter Jr., withdrew from the Rose Bowl.
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The decision was not difficult for either Anderson or Young, they said Monday.
“Anyone who knows Will Anderson and who knows the type of person I am, the competitor that I am,” he said, “probably knew I was going to be in this game.”
Anderson was repeatedly asked about bowling as he cleaned up the awards circuit. He chose not to reveal any decision at the time, but said at least once that he was still working with the Tuscaloosa team.
Any discussions he had with Saban where they discussed this issue would remain private, Anderson said.
“But for me it was all about leadership and being here for the team,” Anderson said. “I’ve preached so much over the past couple of years about how to do things the right way, the standard here, and how to live up to the standard. It wouldn’t be right for me to let my teammates down. I think that’s a big reason why I decided to play in this game and play with these guys.
Top projected draft picks that make playoff squads include Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, Georgia’s Jalen Carter (DT) and Kelee Ringo (CB) and TCU wide receiver Quintin Johnson. Buckeye wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was injured at the end of the season and he announced he would not play but is not considered a withdrawal.
Other big names haven’t announced anything about bowl games, including USC catcher Jordan Addison. The Trojans, who had a shot at making the playoffs before losing the Pac-12 title game, will play in the Cotton Bowl against Tulane.
Alabama thus moved up the CFP rankings, but finished one spot out of the semifinals. It was a factor for Anderson.
“We have a lot to prove,” he said. “We have a lot to show that we should have a shot at making the playoffs. But we’re not, and we’re going to take this opportunity and go out there and make the most of it and go out there and show people why we are Alabama football.
The Crimson Tide will practice every day this week in Tuscaloosa until Thursday before taking a Christmas break and meeting in New Orleans on December 21. 26. The Sugar Bowl kicks off at 11:00 a.m. CT against Kansas State.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande Or on Facebook.
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