Alabama football fans have made it through the offseason.
Nick Saban and the players reported Wednesday for fall camp, and Thursday starts practice.
RELATED: Will Anderson continues looking impressive in Texans’ offseason workouts
We are 31 days until the Crimson Tide returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium for its home and season opener against Middle Tennessee State. Will Anderson Jr., a University of Alabama alumnus, was the best player in school history to wear No. 31.
One full month (31 days) until Alabama football returns 😤 pic.twitter.com/eIZPhbAtoS
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) August 2, 2023
He came to the Tide as a five-star linebacker from Georgia in the 2020 signing class.
RELATED: LOOK: Will Anderson shows off No. 51 in Texans’ photo shoot
Anderson became everything Alabama needed and then some for its defense. He exploded onto the scene as a freshman, collecting 52 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss, seven sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble. Anderson helped the Tide to an undefeated College Football Playoff National Championship season. He garnered Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American honors while capturing the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year award. Anderson became unstoppable in 2021, posting a team-high 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. He captained Alabama’s defense to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a berth in the CFP National Championship Game versus Georgia. Anderson was a Heisman Trophy finalist, a Bronko Nagurski Award winner, an SEC Defensive Player of the Year recipient, and an Unanimous First-Team All-American.
He picked up the Nagurski Trophy, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Unanimous All-American honors for a second consecutive season in 2022 after having ten sacks. Anderson finished his career behind Derrick Thomas for sacks (34.5) and tackles for loss (62) in school history. He got selected at No. 3 overall in the NFL Draft by DeMeco Ryans and the Texans.
Alabama fans want to see him excel in the pros.
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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.
