Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practice sessions – including the A-Day Game – the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
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We start the profiles on defense, and Will Anderson is first.
Will Anderson Jr.
-Classification: Junior
–Position: Outside Linebacker
-Hometown: Hampton, Ga.
-Height: 6-4
-Weight: 243 pounds
–Strengths: Size, power, speed, production (24.5 sacks), technique, experience, leadership, pass-rush moves, run stopper
–Weaknesses: None that are glaring
Summary for spring practice
Will Anderson returns as a permanent team captain from 2021 and Alabama’s defensive leader.
He has been a star for the program since arriving in 2020 from Georgia. Anderson’s five-star rating was no accident as he exploded onto the scene as a freshman. His combination of power, speed, and edge-rushing techniques allowed him to become a three-down player for the Crimson Tide. Anderson collected 52 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss, seven sacks, eight quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one blocked field goal. He assisted the Tide to an undefeated College Football Playoff national title season.
Anderson received Freshman All-SEC, second-team All-SEC, and Freshman All-American honors.
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He took home the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award from the Football Writers Association of America. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder increased his production in 2021. He took over college football as one of the most dominant players in the sport.
Anderson tallied 102 tackles, 34.5 stops for loss, 17.5 sacks, nine quarterback pressures, and three pass breakups. Offensive linemen could not block him, quarterbacks could not escape him, running backs could not avoid him, and offensive coaches had no answers for him. He led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss, en route to winning the Bronko Nagurski Award and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Anderson picked up first-team All-SEC and Unanimous All-American honors as a sophomore.
He enters spring practice with one mission: win a national championship. Anderson has an opportunity to collect several individual accolades and possibly go to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation, but he wants another natty ring.
He possesses all the traits to be a top-five selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson brings the size, speed, power, production, pass-rush moves, run-stopping abilities, leadership, and a relentless pursuit to make plays. He carried the Crimson Tide’s defense to the CFP National Championship Game last year. Anderson’s teammates are now set to follow his lead in spring football.
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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.
