Will Anderson Jr.

Will Anderson Jr. (born September 2, 2001) is an American football outside linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He won several awards during his time with Alabama, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama's national championship in 2020.

Will Anderson Jr.
Anderson Jr. at the 2023 NFL Combine
Alabama Crimson Tide – No. 31
PositionOutside linebacker
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born: (2001-09-02) September 2, 2001
Hampton, Georgia, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight253 lb (115 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolDutchtown (Hampton)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school career

Anderson was born on September 2, 2001, in Hampton, Georgia. He attended Dutchtown High School, where he recorded 22 sacks with 15 tackles for loss as a senior in 2019. Anderson was named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Super 11" team and played in the 2020 All-American Bowl.[1][2][3] Anderson committed to play college football at Alabama.[4][5]

College career

Anderson was named a starter at outside linebacker as a freshman in 2020.[6][7][8] He was named second-team All-SEC after finishing with seven quarterback sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss as the Crimson Tide won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.[9] As a sophomore in 2021, Anderson won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted a unanimous All-American after recording 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss, both of which led the nation.[10][11][12][13][14] He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.[15]

On November 17, 2022, Anderson recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe.[16] In the 2022 season, Anderson had 51 total tackles (24 solo), ten sacks, and one interception in 13 games.[17] His ten sacks led the SEC for the 2022 season.[18] He won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Nagurski Award, Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Lombardi Award in addition to be named a Consensus All-American.[19][20][21][22][23][12]

College statistics
Year Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
SoloAstTotalLossSackIntYardsAvgTDPDFRYardsTDFF
2020 1333185210.57000000001
2021 1558451013117.5000030000
2022 13242751171012525120000
Career411159020458.534.512525150001

References
  1. "2019 AJC Super 11: Will Anderson, Dutchtown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 19, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. Potter, Charlie (September 23, 2020). "Will Anderson's ascent to starting role 'not surprising at all'". 247Sports. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  3. Zenitz, Mark (February 6, 2020). "Why football people are so high on a new Alabama edge rusher". AL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  4. Rodak, Mike (December 18, 2019). "Four-star linebacker Will Anderson signs with Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  5. Simmons, Chad (June 17, 2019). "Breaking: Four-star DE Williams Anderson commits to Alabama". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  6. Rodak, Mike (September 17, 2020). "Teammate: Alabama freshman Will Anderson has 'got it'". AL.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  7. Hudson, Brett (September 27, 2020). "Alabama freshman linebacker Will Anderson Jr. performs well in debut". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  8. Suttles, Aaron (September 17, 2020). "Alabama mailbag: Is Will Anderson the elite edge rusher Bama has been missing?". The Athletic. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  9. Rodak, Mike (August 24, 2021). "Is Will Anderson the elite edge rusher the Nick Saban era has been missing?". AL.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  10. "Bronko Nagurski Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  11. "SEC Defensive Player of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  12. "Consensus All-America Teams (2020-2022)". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  13. Logan, Collier (April 24, 2022). "College Football's Best Player is Will Anderson, Jr., the Likely No. 1 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft". SI.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  14. Smith, Stephen M. (April 19, 2022). "Alabama LB Will Anderson earns comparison to NFL legend, Jason Taylor". TouchdownAlabama.com. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  15. "2021 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  16. "Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama Box Score, September 17, 2022". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  17. "Will Anderson 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  18. "2022 Southeastern Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  19. Rodak, Mike (December 7, 2022). "SEC coaches pick Will Anderson as defensive player of the year, again". AL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  20. Ubben, David (December 5, 2022). "Will Anderson wins Nagurski Trophy for second straight year". The Athletic. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  21. "Chuck Bednarik Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  22. "Ronnie Lott Trophy Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  23. "Vince Lombardi Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
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