Alabama football could have as many as four players taken in the first round of the upcoming National Football League Draft.
Will Anderson Jr., a highly productive edge rusher, expects to hear his name called within the first five picks to open draft night.
He arrived as a five-star prospect from Georgia in 2020, but Anderson exceeded all expectations. After exploding for 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks during his freshman season, Anderson took over college football in 2021. He led the nation in sacks (17.5) and tackles for loss (34.5), allowing him to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
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Anderson finished his career with 34.5 sacks, ranking second to Derrick Thomas.
He also collected 62 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder won several individual honors and became the first player in Crimson Tide history to become a two-time Unanimous All-American. He should be the first edge rusher taken in the draft, though Georgia’s Jalen Carter may have a rebuttal to it. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Anderson ‘plans to participate in at least some of the on-field workouts at the scouting combine.’ He is in the linebacker group, which will work out Thursday.
Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr., one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, plans to participate in at least some on-field work here at the scouting combine, per source. He’s in the LB group, which works out Thursday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 27, 2023
Anderson helped Alabama to two SEC Championships (2020, 2021) and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020.
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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.
