Alabama has nation-best 13 players invited to 2023 NFL combine
The NFL combine begins in less than three weeks, and no school will have more players in Indianapolis this year than Alabama.
The Tide had 13 players invited to the 2023 combine, the league announced Wednesday. That topped Georgia, which had 12 this year after the Bulldogs led the nation last year with 14 invites.
That includes five offensive players: quarterback Bryce Young, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Cameron Latu, and offensive linemen Tyler Steen and Emil Ekiyor.
Defensively, Alabama is sending eight of its 2022 starters to Indianapolis: defensive linemen DJ Dale and Byron Young; outside linebacker Will Anderson; inside linebacker Henry To’o To’o; cornerback Eli Ricks; and safeties Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams and Brian Branch.
Young, Anderson, Gibbs, Branch and Ricks were all early entrants as underclassmen. Among seniors, the only departing Tide players who were not invited to the combine were linebacker Jaylen Moody and offensive lineman Kendall Randolph.
Alabama sent 11 players to the combine last year, which came after the 2021 combine was canceled. The Tide had 10 players invited in 2020, 11 in 2021 and 14 in 2018.
Alabama’s program record for draft picks in a single class is 12, set in 2018. The NFL record in the common draft era is 15, which Georgia set last year.
The combine will be held February 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis. Alabama will hold its pro day March 23, and the NFL draft will take place April 27-29 in Kansas City.
Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.