Seahawks Draft Meeting Was 'Dream Come True' for Will Anderson Jr.

In a draft that has generally been clouded by tons of mystery and uncertainty over the past few months, Will Anderson Jr. potentially falling to the Seattle Seahawks at the No. 5 pick isn't out of the question.

Dreams will come true for many aspiring superstars on Thursday night in Kansas City once the 2023 NFL Draft begins.

But for Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr., a projected top-five pick in the draft, some of those dreams have already come true. And it's all thanks to the Seattle Seahawks, coach Pete Carroll in particular.

Anderson Jr., who was seated next to Alabama teammate and potential No. 1 pick Bryce Young, was asked Thursday in Kansas City who stood out to him the most during the pre-draft process. It didn't take long for him to come up with an answer.

"I'd probably say Pete Carroll," Anderson Jr. said per Heavy.com's Jonathan Adams, as Young nodded with approval. "All the teams are great, the coaches are great, but I just feel like - it's Pete Carroll. You see him on TV as a little kid sometimes and now you're sitting in his office. It's more like a dream come true."

Will Anderson to #Seahawks? The star labeled @PeteCarroll as the coolest person he met ahead of the #NFLDraft: “All the teams were great and all the coaches were great. …It’s just like, it’s Pete Carroll.” Labeling the meeting as a “dream come true.” #GoHawks #RollTide pic.twitter.com/jFuMg48y75

— Jonathan Adams (@JonDAdams) April 27, 2023

In a draft that has generally been clouded by tons of mystery and uncertainty over the past few months, Anderson Jr. potentially falling to Seattle at the No. 5 pick isn't out of the question. Based on the way he's talked about his pre-draft meetings with Carroll, the pairing would potentially be an intriguing one both from a personal and on-field perspective.

Anderson Jr. was nothing short of a beast while at Alabama. Getting 10 sacks and returning an interception for a touchdown this past season was certainly impressive, but it was somehow forgettable considering he led the country in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (31) in 2021. In three collegiate seasons, he totaled a whopping 34.5 sacks.

Keep in mind, this was all while playing in the best conference in college football where an elite Crimson Tide squad receives each team's best shot every week. Anderson Jr. was simply the best of the best.

Add that to the fact he was coached by the legendary Nick Saban, and Anderson Jr. is arguably one step ahead of the other players in the draft class. But he's remaining humble in the last few hours before getting his name called ... could it be the Seahawks and Carroll that ring his line?

"I see you've been coaching forever ... now I'm in your office sitting down potentially having the option to come play for you, I think that's really big," Anderson Jr. said. 

The Carolina Panthers are on the clock at No. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. PT.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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