Tag: Brian Branch

8 Alabama players land inside the top 100 of latest 2023 NFL draft big board

A total of eight Alabama players land inside the top 100 of Tankathon’s 2023 NFL draft big board.

Now that Alabama’s football season has concluded, it is time to shift our focus to one of my favorite events each year, the NFL draft.

Despite not winning a championship, talent was not lacking on the Crimson Tide roster. Tankathon recently updated its 2023 NFL draft big board, and eight Alabama players landed inside the top 100.

The usual suspects of [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag], [autotag]Will Anderson Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Branch[/autotag] make an appearance, but you may find a couple of surprises rounding out the list.

Here is a complete list of all the Tide players included and where they rank according to Tankathon:

REPORT: Malachi Moore intends to return for senior season at Alabama

Malachi Moore makes a decision on his future with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Shortly after Alabama took care of Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, one of the Crimson Tide’s defensive backs announced his plans.

Malachi Moore, a rotation player in the Alabama defensive backfield, told reporters he plans to return to Alabama for his senior season.

If you remember, Moore was a standout defender during his true freshman season in 2020 when he collected 44 tackles and three interceptions.

Injuries plagued Moore during his sophomore campaign which allowed Brian Branch to emerge at the star position for the Alabama defense.

Moore returning for the 2023 season gives Alabama a massive boost in the backend that is set to lose Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams and, most likely, Branch.

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5 takeaways from Alabama’s dominating 45-20 win over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl

The top takeaways from Alabama’s dominating win over Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Although the season did not end in a national championship, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide finished the 2022 season off with a win of Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The Tide got off to a bit of a sluggish start early on in the contest falling behind the Wildcats 10-0 before reeling off 21 unanswered points.

To the surprise of no one, the Alabama offense was led by star quarterback [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag] who finished with over 300 passing yards and five touchdown tosses.

Defensively, the Tide was led by Brian Branch who was all over the field against the Wildcat offense. Branch finished with double-digit tackles and a second-half interception.

As the season comes to an end let’s take a look at a few of the takeaways from Alabama’s impressive Sugar Bowl victory.

FINAL: Alabama dominates Kansas State in Allstate Sugar Bowl 45-20

Alabama handles Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, 45-20.

[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide took care of the Kansas State Wildcats in resounding fashion with a 45-20 win in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Alabama star quarterback [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag] was spectacular in what is most likely his final game as a member of the Crimson Tide.

Young finished 15-21 for 321 yards and five touchdowns while finding seven different receivers in the matchup.

Young and junior wide receiver Jermaine Burton caught fire in the first half and connected on three passes for 87 yards.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs put together a fantastic performance with 76 yards rushing and 66 yards receiving against the Wildcat defense.

After struggling a little early on, the Alabama defense settled into the game and defensive back Brian Branch carried the day for the Pete Golding-led defense.

Alabama is your Allstate Sugar Bowl champions!

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2023 NFL mock draft features 5 Alabama players in first round

Alabama football is expected to produce another all-star draft class!

Though Alabama didn’t make the SEC Championship or the College Football Playoff this season, the program is still on pace to send multiple players to the NFL by way of the annual draft.

The latest 2023 NFL first-round mock draft by Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire includes five current members of the Crimson Tide.

This mock draft also features possible trades and how they would impact the draft order. It’s also key to note that this year’s NFL draft will only have 31 selections because the Miami Dolphins were forced to forfeit a first-round pick due to violating the NFL’s rules against tampering.

Mock draft watch: Lions reload the offense in Draft Wire’s latest 2-rounder

Mock draft watch: The Detroit Lions reload the offense in Draft Wire’s latest 2-rounder

Just in time to present you with something to argue with your family about over the holiday weekend, the latest mock draft from Draft Wire and editor Luke Easterling shows up on the doorstep.

Open up this present and find three offensive players of the four projected to the Detroit Lions in the first two rounds. That includes the top pick, which currently sits at No. 4 overall thanks to the Los Angeles Rams.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson gets the nod at No. 4. Easterling’s commentary is spot-on about why Richardson makes sense for Detroit,

If you stopped watching Richardson after his rocky start to the 2022 season, you missed out on some strong development over the second half of the season. He’s got a similar skill set (and boom/bust potential) that Josh Allen had coming into the draft, and the Lions could afford to be patient with him with Jared Goff playing well.

The next pick, Detroit’s own at No. 18, is a familiar one from recent mock drafts: Alabama safety Brian Branch. The projection here puts him in the Will Harris role of a bigger slot defender, albeit one with better natural coverage skills than what Harris offers.

The second round picks both hit the offense. USC lineman Andrew Vorhees is the choice for Detroit’s own pick at No. 48. Vorhees would project in as the new starting right guard right away. With the Vikings pick at No. 60 comes Syracuse running back Sean Tucker. He brings the speed with high school track titles and he’s converted it nicely for the Orange into consistent production and big-play ability.

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College Wire Mock Draft 1.0: Breaking down every first-round pick

College Wire regional editor Patrick Conn goes back to his roots with his first mock draft of the 2023 cycle.

With the bowl season set to kick off, we are one step closer to the 2023 NFL draft. There is plenty of action still to come that will decide the placement for the players listed in this mock draft.

The order of the draft was based on records and the strength of schedule. As always the quarterbacks will take center stage with three coming from the SEC.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are plenty of pass rushers who can make an immediate impact on their new team.

Check out our first mock draft for the 2023 NFL draft, plenty could change in the coming months.

Alabama lands five players on AP All-American Team

Alabama football lands five players on the AP All-American team.

Despite not having the season most folks anticipated, the Alabama football team still landed five players on the Associated Press All-America team, which came out Monday morning.

Star outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was the lone first-team member of the three-deep team. Anderson is a consensus All-American.

Defensive back Brian Branch was selected to the second team while [autotag]Jahmyr Gibbs[/autotag], Kool-Aid McKinstry and [autotag]Jordan Battle[/autotag] landed on the third team.

Maybe the biggest surprise from the list is the absence of [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag]. The three quarterbacks selected were Caleb Williams of USC (first team), Max Duggan of TCU (second team) and Hendon Hooker of Tennessee (third team).

Below is the complete AP All-American Team:

CBS Sports 2023 NFL mock draft predicts four Alabama players in round one

Alabama Crimson Tide expected to tear up the 2023 NFL draft after most recent mock predictions

With only the bowl games remaining in the 2022 college football season, and many players sitting out of their respective bowl games, it is time to start preparing for the NFL draft. Even though the exact NFL draft order has not been determined yet, we all have a pretty good idea of who is going to be picking where.

The draft has fared very well for the Alabama Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban as he has had 113 players drafted during his tenure in Tuscaloosa. This year will likely not be any different.

In CBS Sports’ most recent mock draft, published by Ryan Wilson, the Tide will see four players going on day one. Bryce Young, obviously, is going to go No. 1 overall to the Houston Texans and Will Anderson Jr. going No. 2 to the Chicago Bears.

Wilson also predicts that the Dallas Cowboys will take defensive back Brian Branch with the No. 27 overall selection and the Philadelphia Eagles will end the first round by taking runningback Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 31 overall selection. However, there is a chance that safety Jordan Battle hears his name called on day one as well.

It is worth noting that there will only be 31 picks in the first round this year because the Miami Dolphins lost their pick for tampering in the off season. Unfortunately, the Dolphins could really use that pick to continue working on their offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

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Will Anderson named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the AP

Alabama’s Will Anderson has been selected as SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

For consecutive seasons Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

Anderson was also one of nine Crimson Tide players to be named on the AP’s first and second all-SEC teams.

Anderson put together another sensational season in Tuscaloosa accumulating 17 tackles and 10 sacks and one defensive touchdown off an interception.

Joining Anderson on the AP’s first team all-SEC were offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor, defensive lineman Byron Young and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Quarterback Bryce Young, running back Jahmyr Gibbs (as a running back and all-purpose player), placekicker Will Reichard and defensive backs Jordan Battle and Brian Branch were selected as second-teamers.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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