He is one of the greatest defensive players in the National Football League, and his career started with the Houston Texans before he became a free agent.
J.J. Watt, a former first-round pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, visited the Texans’ minicamp. He has been chosen for the Houston Texans’ Ring of Honor for what he brought to the organization and community. Watt was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five-time first-team All-Pro selection, five-time Pro Bowl selection, Walter Payton Man of the Year recipient (2017), and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He saw the next superstar in Tuesday’s practice as he watched Will Anderson Jr.
RELATED: Watch: Will Anderson looking great in Texans rookie minicamp
Houston took the former Alabama linebacker at No. 3 overall in the NFL Draft. Anderson possesses the ability to create double-digit sacks in the league, but can he be dynamic as Watt was in Houston? Watt posted 10+ sacks in five of ten seasons with the Texans, including 20.5 in 2012 and 2014 and 17.5 in 2015. He earned the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in those seasons.
According to Cole Thompson, host of “Just Sayin’ It” on Sports Map Radio Network, Watt said he thinks Anderson ‘is phenomenal.’
#Texans J.J. Watt: “I think Will [Anderson] is phenomenal. I’m excited to see what Burke and DeMeco do with him. He already knows how to attack the QB.”
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) June 13, 2023
As a former five-star, Anderson came to the University of Alabama from Georgia in the 2020 class. He became an instant impactful freshman, totaling 52 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble.
RELATED: Houston Texans announce Will Anderson’s jersey number for rookie season
Anderson pushed the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship while earning Freshman All-SEC honors and the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award. He exploded as a sophomore for a team-high 17.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss, becoming a Heisman finalist in 2021. Anderson helped the Tide clinch a Southeastern Conference title.
He had double-digit sacks (10) last year despite dealing with double teams.
Anderson has the makeup to be successful, and DeMeco Ryans will pull it out of him.
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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.
