In the hearts of Alabama fans, there will never be another Derrick Thomas.
He captivated people with his style at outside linebacker and was a great teammate off the field as well. Thomas, who played for the Crimson Tide from 1985-88, holds the school record for sacks in a career (52), single season (27) and single game (five) in Alabama football history.
While he remains a revered figure, Tide fans also long to see someone that can at least come close to capturing the essence Thomas brought.
With this being stated, Nick Saban may have found someone in William “Will” Anderson that can do it. Anderson, a five-star linebacker via Hampton, Ga., signed in Alabama’s 2020 class and has the potential to be an all-time great.
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Listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, his body structure resembles former Tide standouts Tim Williams and Christian Miller. His hands, speed, pass rush moves and instincts have the capability to possibly match Thomas.
Anderson totaled 15 tackles for loss and 22 sacks in his senior year at Dutchtown High School (2019) and was unstoppable in the All-American Bowl.
The duo of Sal Sunseri and Freddie Roach working with him should bring the maximum performance out of the five-star.
In Friday’s segment of In My Own Words, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine talks on Anderson and can he restore the essence of Thomas.
Check out the video below.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
