After taking home one national award in 2021, Will Anderson cleaned house this year at the ESPN College Football Awards.
The junior linebacker for Alabama won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player, for a second straight year.
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He won Chuck Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi awards.
Anderson also took home the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference via the Associated Press and SEC coaches. Anderson is a first-team All-American selection from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Football Writers Association of America. He faced double and triple teams, especially with opponents using tight ends and running backs to chip him, but the native Georgian produced strong numbers. He finished with 51 total tackles — leading the Crimson Tide in tackles for loss (17), sacks (10), and quarterback hurries (10). Anderson posted a pass breakup, a blocked field goal, and an interception returned for a 25-yard touchdown. He stands second to Derrick Thomas (52) for most sacks in Alabama history for his career (34.5). The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder projects as a top-five selection next April.
He received permanent team captain honors at Alabama’s annual awards banquet.
Anderson assisted the Tide to two SEC Championships (2020 and 2021) and an undefeated College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020. He graduated from the University of Alabama last week with his bachelor’s degree in three years.
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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.
