Bryce Young will not repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner, but another Alabama player may repeat for a national award.
Will Anderson, an outside linebacker, won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy last season.
RELATED: Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire out with wrist injury per Nick Saban
He turned in a dominant sophomore year that included 34.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, nine quarterback pressures, and three pass breakups. His numbers are not as eye-popping this year, but the native Georgian has been productive. Anderson leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks ninth in the nation in tackles for loss (14). He is also second in the SEC and tied for sixth nationally in sacks (eight) for a loss of 43 yards. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder has 42 tackles, 10 quarterback hurries (team-high), a blocked field goal, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He is a finalist for the Nagurski Award again, according to the Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America. Anderson is joined by Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh), Chris Smith (Georgia), and Tuli Tuipulotu (USC). Anderson, the reigning Nagurski winner, became the second Crimson Tide player to win the honor along with Jonathan Allen in 2016. The Bronko Nagurski Award goes to the top defensive player in college football.
Here are the four outstanding defenders chosen as finalists for the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy by @TheFWAA. https://t.co/MG8TzoKA6K pic.twitter.com/uo4tkRf0HM
— Nagurski Trophy (@NagurskiTrophy) November 16, 2022
The winner will be announced live on Monday, Dec. 5 at the annual Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
