Alabama has produced elite performances from individual outside linebackers and marquee duos at the position.
Courtney Upshaw comes to mind for individual performers while Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson surface as duo performers under the Nick Saban era as outside linebackers. Will Anderson and Dallas Turner are becoming a better version of Williams and Anderson, but the Crimson Tide seems to have an elite room of ‘backers. Will Anderson enters his junior season in the fall and brings two goals to the table: winning a national championship and the Heisman Trophy. He was the most consistent edge rusher in 2021 before Turner emerged, but Anderson could not stop smiling at SEC Media Days when he discussed his position unit.
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He is incredibly excited about former five-star, Chris Braswell.
Alabama LB Will Anderson loves his position group, especially Chris Braswell.
“Oh yes, that’s my dog right there,” Anderson on his excitement for Braswell this season.
He wants to see the former 5-star flourish in the fall.@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/LU6vWAGhsn
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) July 19, 2022
“Oh yes, that’s my dog,” Anderson said of Braswell. “I am excited.”
Anderson and Braswell both came in the 2020 class as five stars. Anderson exploded onto the scene as a freshman with seven sacks while Braswell had to wait his time. The Maryland native has put work in this offseason and is ready to break out.
“I can’t wait to watch him flourish and bloom into the player he wants to be,” Anderson continued on Braswell.
As for everyone else in the OLB room, Anderson said Alabama has a “great group” of players. He and Turner are established players, but watching the growth of Braswell, Keanu Koht, Quandarrius Robinson, and Jeremiah Alexander will be interesting.
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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.
