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2023 NFL draft drip check: No. 1 pick Bryce Young dons Dior, Will Levis honors grandfather

victoria hernandez, usa today
·5 min read
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NFL draft day is when players' dreams come true.

The stars descended on Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday night at the largest draft site in NFL history as they waited to hear their name called and start their professional careers.

The players dressed the part for the big occasion with sharp suits and lots of bling. Some kept it simple while others had special tributes to loved ones who couldn't be there in person.

Last year, Sauce Gardner showed up with a bedazzled necklace letting everyone know who he was and Ikem Ekwonu represented for his Nigerian heritage, donning a white suit with green stripes.

This year's players showed no less commitment to their style.

2023 NFL draft: Tracking, analyzing every pick in the first round

Here is the 2023 NFL draft drip check:

7. Bryce Young

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young poses on the red carpet.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young poses on the red carpet.

No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young showed up to the draft cool as a chrysanthemum. The Alabama quarterback wore a light pink suit from Dior. The jacket featured a built-in scarf that gave the simple look enough edge to turn heads. He paired it with a rose gold bracelet and necklace that featured pearls — a sure way to make the drip check.

Young said his look was a team effort, spearheaded by his mother, who stood proudly next to him with his father.

"I'm blessed to have the people that helped me out with this," he told NFL Network. "It was a big collaboration."

6. Keion White

Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White showed off his style in this brown ensemble. The jacket had a strong buckle feature and a long belt that trailed behind him. It was smooth and strong and showed that White is not afraid to be different.

Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White walks the NFL draft red carpet.
Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White walks the NFL draft red carpet.

5. Will Anderson Jr.

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. stood out in a double-breasted blue pinstriped suit with lapel pins of his initials so there was no mistaking who he was. The special touch was the inside of the jacket featuring photos of his grandmother Betty, who passed away while he was in college.

"That was like my best friend and she loved football just as much as me," he said on ESPN's "College GameDay." "I wish she could be here to see this, but this is how I feel like she's with me right now."

4. Paris Johnson Jr.

Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. impressed with a white textured suit that featured a double-breasted jacket.

He paired it with a diamond chain, high-top sneakers and boxy shades to show that he's ready for superstardom.

Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. walks the red carpet.
Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. walks the red carpet.

3. Will Levis

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis opted for a dark blue textured suit with a special tribute to his late grandfather David. His mom surprised him with a gift that she found when going through his jewelry box: cuff links with a football player on them.

"Coincidentally, the football player's got No. 7 on his jersey, which is what I wore in college," Levis told ESPN's "College GameDay." "Pretty surreal, pretty cool honoring him. I know he's looking down on me today."

2. Christian Gonzalez

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez went all white and looked ice cold. He had a special reveal on the inside of his jacket that he said he couldn't share on the red carpet, but told NFL Network that "there's some colors in there."

He kept the icy look strong with a bracelet and single chain. He topped it off with white Amiri sneakers that featured red stars to show he's fit to shine among the best of them.

Gonzalez was drafted No. 17 to the New England Patriots and revealed that the special surprise inside his jacket was yellow, blue and red stripes to pay tribute to his Colombian heritage.

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez poses for a photo.
Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez poses for a photo.

1. Anthony Richardson

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives on the red carpet.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson arrives on the red carpet.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson used his draft outfit to declare that he's at the draft for a reason. He's already made his mark on draft history at the combine and is expected to impress as a first-round draft pick (he went No. 4 to the Colts). The Florida quarterback showed up in a smoke gray suit with a double-breasted jacket. He wore a white mock neck shirt that let his glitzy "R" chain shine.

The special touch to his outfit was the lining of his jacket, which featured a blue fabric printed with a cross and the words "I want to be a legend."

"I got it in my heart, but I also got it in the inside," he told ESPN's "College GameDay." "Gotta showcase I wanna be a legend."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft outfits: Bryce Young, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson shine