Under the guidance of legendary head coach Nick Saban, the University of Alabama has been a factory of NFL talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Crimson Tide has produced many unbelievable talents, yet many believe that Will Anderson Jr. stands out as the best of the Saban era.
Anderson has a long list of accolades and accomplishments while in Tuscaloosa, as he was named a two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year winner, two-time unanimous All-American, and much more. During that two-year stretch, Anderson had 152 total tackles, 48 tackles for loss, and 27.5 sacks while facing double teams and the toughest assignments in college football. Despite it all, he produced video game numbers.
So, it might be easy to understand why the Houston Texans were eager to trade up to No. 3 in the 2023 NFL draft to land his services. The Texans are led by first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans who has reportedly always been very high on Anderson. Ryans views Anderson as a defensive centerpiece they can build around for years to come as there are fewer commodities more valuable in the NFL than an elite pass rusher. Ryans was also a defensive draft pick out of Alabama as he was taken in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans.
Through the first few days of training camp, Anderson has been an absolute monster and has made his way into the backfield several times already. With Alabama, he played a hybrid linebacker/EDGE rusher role, but in the NFL he will be a true DE with the sole task of sacking the QB, something he does quite well. Anderson will certainly be in the conversation for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year when the season is over.
Will Anderson has some SERIOUS power đł
Anderson has reportedly gotten in the backfield âseveralâ times already.
The transition from OLB to DE for Anderson has reportedly gone âflawlessâ so far.
Anderson even reportedly âgets madâ at the coaches when they give him a rep off.⌠pic.twitter.com/BD5mklRo7l
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 29, 2023
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