Does Alabama football have the best pass-rushing duo in its history on campus?
Crimson Tide fans are excited to watch Will Anderson and Dallas Turner inflict pain on quarterbacks in the fall.
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Both were electric in 2021, and it happened despite Turner not having a full-time role as a starter. The two combined for 26 of the team’s 52 sacks and paced the defense to the College Football Playoff national title matchup.
Anderson led the nation for sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (34.5) while earning several individual awards. Turner made the SEC’s All-Freshman Team and the Freshman All-American Team via the Football Writers Association of America. The Tide has had a couple of marquee pass-rushing duo, including Eric Curry/John Copeland (1990s) and Ryan Anderson/Tim Williams (2015-16). Curry and Copeland combined for 21 sacks (10.5 each) in Alabama’s undefeated national championship year in 1992.
Anderson and Williams totaled 16.5 sacks together during the Crimson Tide’s national title run in 2015. The tandem had 18 sacks (nine apiece) in Alabama’s 2016 season. Anfernee Jennings and Terrell Lewis could have been the next great duo, but injuries prevented it from flourishing. Anderson and Turner have a chance to have more sacks than any other duo in school history.
How many sacks will they total?
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It is easy for offenses to neutralize one edge rusher, but slowing down two explosive sack specialists is harder. Anderson is capable of turning in 20 sacks, and I can see Turner grabbing at least ten. Anderson raved about Turner’s freshman season and praised the South Florida native for continuing to work hard. Alabama’s defense has several leaders returning, but Anderson and Turner are the biggest playmakers.
Both will have 10+ sacks, but will Anderson surpass Derrick Thomas’ single-season school record of 18 from 1987?
He has a shot to take it and be second all-time behind Thomas’ performance of 27 sacks in 1988.
We will see what happens Anderson and Turner this season
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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.
