One of the biggest pieces of news that came out last week about the New Year’s Six bowls was that both Alabama linebacker Will Anderson and quarterback Bryce Young decided to play in the Sugar Bowl.
It was a shock to some because a lot of NFL Draft experts expected both players to be first-round draft choices. However, Anderson recently explained why he decided to risk injury and play in this bowl game.
“Me being at home and training and sitting down and watching the game, I would have been feeling so bad, the competitor in me,” he told 24/7. “We have a lot to prove.
“Anybody that knows Will Anderson probably knew I was going to be playing this game.”
Alabama ended the season sitting just outside of the top four playoff teams with a 10-2 record. Most teams would have considered a successful season, but not the Tide. This is only the second time they have missed the playoffs since its inception. It’s even tougher to realize they missed the playoffs by four points in those two losses.
Anderson playing also can’t do anything but help his draft status, if that’s possible, because NFL teams will see him as a team player. Many already feel as if the All-American will be the overall first-round draft choice, which would the first for Nick Saban as head coach at Alabama.
