TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A trio of Alabama stars are headed to the NFL.

Bryce Young, Will Anderson and Jahmyr Gibbs announced Monday that they will be forgoing their senior season and entering the NFL Draft. Other potential early-round underclassmen such as Brian Branch and Eli Ricks can still declare for the draft until Jan. 16.

"I'm very proud of the way these guys have represented the program not only as the way they played on the field but as their character as people," Nick Saban said. "All three of these guys sort of have top-round grades. We're very excited about their opportunities and the future that they can have at the next level."

Here's a look at the three departing juniors and their accomplishments at Alabama.

Young's declaration for the NFL Draft comes as no surprise to anyone. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner finishes as the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for 3,000-plus yards in two seasons. During his three-year tenure with the Crimson Tide passing for 8,677 yards and 85 touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes.

Along with claiming the Heisman Trophy, he claimed the Davey O'Brien and Manning awards, both presented annually to the nation's top quarterback. In 2022, selected as a second-team All-American by Pro Football Focus and USA Today, and earned second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press.

"I'm always going to be a part of Alabama," Young said. "I feel like I'm always going to be a part of this university and I'm forever grateful. I'm so excited for this next chapter."

Early mock drafts have Young and Will Anderson vying for the top two spots in April's draft. When asked what that anomaly means to him, Young said it was "a blessing" to be regarded so highly.

"It's a reflection of Coach Saban and the foundation he's laid for all of us," Young said. "Really it's a reflection of the team as well. I wouldn't be here without my teammates, without my brothers who have sacrificed and we've all worked so hard together. It really speaks volumes about the program."

Anderson followed his fellow junior captain to the NFL Draft. The Hampton Georgia native finished with 51 total tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He ranks second on Alabama's career sacks list with 34.5 (-201 yards), trailing only Derrick Thomas and also second in UA history behind Thomas in tackles for loss with 62 (-272 yards).

He's a two-time Nagurski Trophy winner, only the second player in the award's history to take home the honors twice. He was also the recipient of the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defender along with claiming the Rotary Lombardi and the Lott IMPACT Trophy which recognizes a player for their performance on the field and character off the field.

Anderson was also a unanimous All-American (AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp) for the second straight year.

The junior credited his family and his coaches for helping him ascend into the player he became at Alabama.

"I didn't always have the confidence that I have now," Anderson said. "I was a little shakey about coming to Alabama, but coach (Charles) Kelly, coach Sal (Sunseri) and coach Saban believed in me so much and they pushed me every day to be the person that I am now. ... They really helped me get to a place in my life where I have the opportunity to help change my family's life and my life. I'm just very appreciative of all of them."

Gibbs became the second offensive player to forgo his senior season. The junior running back led the team in all-purpose yards tallying 1,597 and 10 total touchdowns along with a team-high 926 rushing yards.

He was selected as a second-team All-American at the all-purpose spot by USA Today. Gibbs was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press in the all-purpose slot while earning a second-team All-SEC recognition from both the AP and the league coaches as a running back and an all-purpose player.

"I wanted to thank Coach Saban, Coach (Robert Gillespie), Bryce and Will for accepting me since I've been here," Gibbs said. "It felt like I've been here for three years. They welcomed me with open arms. It has been one of the best years of my life and I'm very appreciative of them."

The junior capped off his career by tallying 142 all-purpose yards including Alabama's longest play of the game, hauling in a 60-yard reception that got the Tide's dormant offense going on Saturday.

With plenty of speculation surrounding why the trio of juniors would opt to play in the Sugar Bowl, Gibbs used his announcement on Monday to double down on the decision to suit up against Kansas State.

"I think it showed a lot about the core of our team and the core of other teams out there," Gibbs said. "There's really no negatives to playing in a bowl game for your team. People worry about getting hurt, every game before that you can get hurt."

Following a dominating performance against Kansas State, Branch announced he will also be forgoing his senior season.

The junior recorded 78 tackles, good for third on the defense. He finished second on the team with 10 tackles for loss (-34 yards), including two sacks (-11 yards). He also added seven pass breakups, an interception and a pair of quarterback hurries.

He earned first-team All-America honors at defensive back from CBS Sports and ESPN.com. He was also selected as a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and named a second-team All-SEC honoree by the AP.