Houston believes it hit a home run with its second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft under DeMeco Ryans.
Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick by the Texans, has been impressive in training camp.
RELATED: LOOK: Will Anderson shows off No. 51 in Texans’ photo shoot
The explosiveness and power he presents as a defensive end adds a dynamic to Houston’s defense that will be needed.
The Texans are loving Will Anderson 😤
(🎥 via @HoustonTexans) pic.twitter.com/rcfnvMhHoJ
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) July 30, 2023
Anderson, a University of Alabama alum, helped the Crimson Tide to two Southeastern Conference Championships (2020, 2021) and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and a two-time Bronko Nagurski Award winner, a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time Unanimous First-Team All-American selection for his career. Ryans, the head coach for the Texans, had huge praise for Anderson over the weekend in practice.
.@HoustonTexans head coach @DRyans59 was mic’d up with @JamesPalmerTV and @MarcRoss at practice!
One thing is for sure, he’s a big Will Anderson Jr. fan 💪 pic.twitter.com/tRZ2Jw0gDD
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 30, 2023
“He is way better than me,” Ryans said about Anderson.
“He is a locker room guy, a leader. He has been everything we hoped for. The intensity he brings every day, and the competitive energy he has, it is outstanding. Every day he is making a play. Every day he shows up and teaches our guys how to work. I’m happy to have Will on our team, and he’s going to be an important piece to what we are doing.”
RELATED: Will Anderson continues looking impressive in Texans’ offseason workouts
Ryans is learning fast that his rookie defensive lineman does not like taking reps off.
“He looks like he’s about to beat me up,” Ryans said laughing after being asked about how Anderson looks at him when the coaching staff wants him to rest for a play. “I have to get out of the way. He gets mad every time I give him a rep off.”
Ryans and the Texans have something special with Anderson.
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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.
