Will Anderson Jr. Explained
William Anderson Jr. (born September 2, 2001) is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he won several awards, such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama's national championship in 2020.
Anderson was selected by the Texans third overall in the 2023 NFL draft, who traded up to get him after selecting Ohio State quarterback C. J. Stroud with the previous pick. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Early life
Anderson was born on September 2, 2001, in Hampton, Georgia.[1] He attended Dutchtown High School, where he recorded 22 sacks with 15 tackles for loss as a senior in 2019. Anderson was named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Super 11" team and played in the 2020 All-American Bowl.[2] [3] [4] Anderson committed to play college football at Alabama.[5] [6]
College career
Anderson was named a starter at outside linebacker as a freshman in 2020.[7] [8] [9] He was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) after finishing with seven quarterback sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss as the Crimson Tide won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.[10] As a sophomore in 2021, Anderson won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted a unanimous All-American after recording 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss, both of which led the nation.[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.[16]
On November 17, 2022, Anderson recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe.[17] In the 2022 season, Anderson had 51 total tackles (24 solo), ten sacks, and one interception in 13 games.[18] His ten sacks led the SEC for the 2022 season.[19] He won the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott Impact Trophy, and the Lombardi Award,[20] [21] [22] [23] in addition to being named a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.[24]
College statistics
Season | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles |
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Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
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2020 | 13 | 33 | 18 | 52 | 10.5 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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2021 | 15 | 58 | 45 | 101 | 31 | 17.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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2022 | 13 | 24 | 27 | 51 | 17 | 10.0 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Career | 41 | 115 | 90 | 204 | 58.5 | 34.5 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
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Professional career
Anderson was drafted third overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL draft, in which, they traded with the Arizona Cardinals from the 12th overall pick that they acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade to move up to third overall.[25] [26] On June 23, 2023, Anderson signed a four-year deal worth $35.2 million featuring a $22.6 million signing bonus.[27] In his NFL debut against the Ravens in Week 1, Anderson recorded one sack and six total tackles.[28] In Week 13, against the Broncos, he recorded his first multi-sack game with two.[29] As a rookie, he started in 13 games and appeared in 15. He finished with seven sacks, 45 total tackles (29 solo), and one pass defended.[30] He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.[31] He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.[32]
Anderson was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl following an injury to American Football Conference starter Maxx Crosby.[33]
In his postseason debut, Anderson had a sack in the 45–14 victory over the Browns in the Wild Card Round.[34]
Personal life
Anderson is a Christian.[35] Anderson is the son of Will Anderson Sr. and Tereon Anderson. He has five older sisters.[36]
NFL career statistics
Regular season
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Alvarez . Nick . 2023-04-28 . Alabama's Will Anderson drafted No. 3 by Houston Texans in 2023 NFL Draft . 2023-07-15 . AL.com . en.
- Web site: August 19, 2019 . 2019 AJC Super 11: Will Anderson, Dutchtown . December 12, 2020 . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Web site: Potter . Charlie . September 23, 2020 . Will Anderson's ascent to starting role 'not surprising at all' . December 12, 2020 . 247Sports.
- Web site: Zenitz . Mark . February 6, 2020 . Why football people are so high on a new Alabama edge rusher . December 12, 2020 . AL.com.
- Web site: Rodak . Mike . December 18, 2019 . Four-star linebacker Will Anderson signs with Alabama . December 12, 2020 . AL.com.
- Web site: Simmons . Chad . June 17, 2019 . Breaking: Four-star DE Williams Anderson commits to Alabama . December 12, 2020 . Yahoo Sports.
- Web site: Rodak . Mike . September 17, 2020 . Teammate: Alabama freshman Will Anderson has 'got it' . December 12, 2020 . AL.com.
- Web site: Hudson . Brett . September 27, 2020 . Alabama freshman linebacker Will Anderson Jr. performs well in debut . December 12, 2020 . Dothan Eagle.
- Web site: Suttles . Aaron . September 17, 2020 . Alabama mailbag: Is Will Anderson the elite edge rusher Bama has been missing? . December 12, 2020 . The Athletic.
- Web site: Rodak . Mike . August 24, 2021 . Is Will Anderson the elite edge rusher the Nick Saban era has been missing? . August 25, 2021 . AL.com.
- Web site: Bronko Nagurski Award Winners . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: SEC Defensive Player of the Year Winners . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Consensus All-America Teams (2020–2022) . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Logan . Collier . April 24, 2022 . College Football's Best Player is Will Anderson, Jr., the Likely No. 1 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft . May 2, 2022 . SI.com.
- Web site: Smith . Stephen M. . April 19, 2022 . Alabama LB Will Anderson earns comparison to NFL legend, Jason Taylor . May 2, 2022 . TouchdownAlabama.com.
- Web site: 2021 Heisman Trophy Voting . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Louisiana-Monroe at Alabama Box Score, September 17, 2022 . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Will Anderson 2022 Game Log . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: 2022 Southeastern Conference Leaders . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Ubben . David . December 5, 2022 . Will Anderson wins Nagurski Trophy for second straight year . March 24, 2023 . The Athletic . en.
- Web site: Ronnie Lott Trophy Winners . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Vince Lombardi Award Winners . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Chuck Bednarik Award Winners . March 24, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Rodak . Mike . December 7, 2022 . SEC coaches pick Will Anderson as defensive player of the year, again . March 24, 2023 . AL.com . en.
- Web site: April 27, 2023 . Texans select Alabama LB Will Anderson with the #3 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft . June 1, 2023 . HoustonTexans.com.
- Web site: April 28, 2023 . Houston Texans' No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr. is a man among big female energy thanks to 5 sisters . April 28, 2023 . ABC13 Houston . en.
- Web site: Spurr . Aj . 2023-06-24 . Will Anderson Jr. contract details with Houston Texans revealed . 2024-07-13 . Yahoo! Sports . en-US.
- Web site: Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens - September 10th, 2023 . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Denver Broncos at Houston Texans - December 3rd, 2023 . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Will Anderson 2023 Game Log . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Winners . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Barefield . Brian . 2024-01-24 . Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. named to 2024 Pro Bowl . 2024-07-13 . Texans Wire. USA Today . en-US.
- Web site: Wild Card - Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans - January 13th, 2024 . 2024-07-13 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
- Web site: Mercer . Kevin . Entering 2nd year, Texans defensive end Will Anderson seeks to rest in God's approval . Sports Spectrum . 25 July 2024.
- Web site: Dellenger . Ross . The Secret to Will Anderson Jr.'s Quick Rise at Alabama? Family, and Anger . Sports Illustrated . 25 July 2024.