Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. was first a star at the University of Alabama before he ever arrived at NRG Stadium.
Now, he joins a fellow Saturday legend in the Sunday history books.
With his three-sack outing in Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots, Aderson joined Hall of Fame linebacker and former Crismon Tide standout Derrick Thomas as one of 16 Alabama alums to accomplish the feat.
Thomas, who played 10 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, leads all Alabama players in three-sack outings in 10. He also holds the NFL record for the most sacks in a game with seven.
Anderson has a ways to go before he enters the same conversation as Thomas, but he could have had the best game of his young career. On top of totaling three sacks, Anderson finished with eight tackles, four tackles for loss and a pass deflection against rookie quarterback Drake Maye that led to an interception by Eric Murray.
“Massive game for him,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “To be able to get after the quarterback the way he did with three sacks, also forced an interception by Murray.
“I felt his mindset in pregame warmups, so I knew it was going to be a really good day for him. Will, he’s getting better every week. This is his best game by far.”
Anderson is on the trajectory to earn Defensive Player of the Year recognition entering Week 7’s road trip against the Green Bay Packers. He leads the NFL in tackles for loss with nine and ranks fifth in sacks with 5.5.
Those in Tuscaloosa knew of Anderson’s potential. At Alabama, he was a two-time unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as a linebacker.
After being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Houston moved him from a 3-4 outside linebacker to a 4-3 defensive. Nothing changed about his approach. The future Pro Bowl would tie J.J. Watt for the Texans’ rookie sack record with seven en route to winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Thomas, who passed away in 2000 at the age of 33, finished with 126.5 career sacks. Entering the halfway point of the new season, Anderson currently sits with 12.5.
Kickoff at Lambeau Field is scheduled for noon CT.