Alabama football: 5 stars who won't return in 2023 and who replaces them

5 Alabama stars who won’t be back in 2023 and who will replace them

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) quarterback Bryce Young (9) head coach Nick Saban and defensive back Jordan Battle (9) pose for photos following the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports /

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Will Anderson Jr., Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Will Anderson Jr. is a potential NFL superstar that will be tough for Alabama to replace

If Will Anderson Jr. hadn’t lit the world on fire in the 2021 season by racking up 17.5 sacks and more than 25 tackles for loss, than almost anyone would’ve been more than pleased with the 10 sacks that he put on the board in the 2022 campaign.

The reason for the decline in production was no fault of the pass-rusher, however. He faced countless double and triple teams throughout the season with the rest of the defensive line, frankly, just not being as dangerous as the superstar. Even then, he could only be somewhat contained and continued to be a force.

He’s likely to be a Top 5 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so there isn’t going to be a 1-for-1 replacement for the Crimson Tide to slot in with Anderson departing. Having said that, they do have some talent to put into the same position.

Alabama replacement for Will Anderson Jr.: Chris Braswell

Make no mistake, replacing a dominant edge rusher like Will Anderson Jr. is going to be incredibly difficult to do. Having said that, we’ll likely see Chris Braswell transition into that role. He played quite a bit as a reserve, appearing in every game for the Crimson Tide in 2022, and flashed a ton of talent with four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

It’s big shoes for Braswell to fill but the rising senior has already shown quite a bit of talent.

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