Takeaways from Alabama Football Pro Day 2023

Bryce Young and D.J. Fluker on the same playing field was just one of the highlights of the Crimson Tide’s annual workout.

© Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2023 NFL Draft is nearly a month away.

There have been trades, contract extensions, free agent signings, firings — and everything else during the rumblings of an NFL offseason.

The only thing left is determining where college football’s top players will land to begin their professional career. Like every year, the Alabama Crimson Tide has several top prospects that are drawing attention from the pro level.

That was obvious once again at 2023’s edition of Pro Day.

There were reportedly 12 general managers and 10 head coaches in Tuscaloosa to watch Nick Saban’s latest bunch. That doesn’t include the hundreds of scouts that were present in the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility on Thursday morning.

Some were there to see Bryce Young throw. Some were there to talk to Will Anderson Jr. — who did not work out on Thursday after a solid showing at the combine. Some were there just to watch anyone and anything — because Saban has quite the resume of getting players to the league.

Here are my biggest takeaways from Alabama Football Pro Day 2023.

Everybody Loves Bryce Young

Shocker right? The multi-dimensional, soft-spoken, intelligent quarterback had a huge crowd of visitors on Thursday.

After choosing to sit out the combine, Young put on a great throwing display in front of the NFL’s top brass — and seemed to nail every interview too.

Each day that goes by, someone is named the new top quarterback in the class. The Carolina Panthers have the first pick in the draft. Carolina took Young to dinner on Wednesday night and apparently it went well.

With everyone that was around Young on Thursday, there were smiles and hugs and laughs. He may not go first overall, but it’s obvious that NFL teams love his personality off the field.

“Bryce is somebody that a lot of people are interested in,” Saban said. “Hopefully he'll be the first pick in the draft. Nobody knows that for sure. I don't think anybody disagrees that he's one of the outstanding players in this draft. I guess it's just all about your needs and what your particular feelings may be about him.”

“We think he's the best player in the draft.”

Cameron Latu Looks Impressive

Latu was one of the only Crimson Tide players to do just about every drill. Latu completed the broad jump, the 40-yard dash as well as pass-catching drills.

It isn’t surprising. Latu has come to work every day over the past two seasons and gone to work. Before he was the backup tight end for Alabama, he was a linebacker.

Now, he’s going to be a tight end in the NFL.

After missing the combine with a hamstring injury, Latu looked great on Thursday. He was fast, athletic and caught just about every ball that came his way.

D.J. Fluker Ready to Get Back in the NFL

Anyone who remembers the dominant years of Alabama Football from 2009-2012 remembers D.J. Fluker.

He was part of an offensive line that made other teams quit. He’s played in over 100 NFL games and has had a lot of success at the next level.

Now a free agent, he’s looking to make his return.

Fluker came home and impressed NFL scouts — often bullying around some of the college talent. He looked lean and mean — and will probably be on an NFL roster soon enough.

Spring practice continues for the Crimson Tide leading up to A-Day on April 22. Then, it will be the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27.

See Also:

Nick Saban Addresses "Wrong Place, Wrong Time" Comments

Breaking Down Alabama Football Pro Day: Just a Minute

Alabama Football's JC Latham: "I Want Them to be Scared of Us"