Getty Images
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is likely one of the prime prospects, no matter place, as we stay up for the 2023 NFL Draft. A five-star prospect out of Dutchtown High School in Georgia, Anderson instantly grew to become a power alongside Alabama’s line of defense. His finest season got here in 2021 — when he led the nation with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks en path to ending fifth in Heisman Trophy voting — however he was dominant all through his time in Tuscaloosa. He completed his profession second in program historical past in each tackles for loss (62.0) and sacks (34.5) — trailing solely Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in each classes.
Below is a complete draft profile for Anderson, together with his scouting report, prospect rating, professional comparability, mix outcomes, faculty and highschool accolades and total NFL outlook.
Note: This profile can be up to date as extra data turns into out there.
About
Age: 21Year: JuniorHometown: Hampton, GeorgiaInteresting truth: Led FBS in tackles for loss (34.5) and sacks (17.5) in 2021
Position: No. 1 EDGE | Overall: No. 1 | Rating: 94.40 (All-Pro)
NFL mix measurements/outcomes
Will Anderson Jr.’s measurements/outcomes from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine can be added as soon as they turn into out there.
Scouting report
A five-star from exterior Atlanta, Will Anderson Jr. has been nearly as good as — and perhaps higher than — marketed since arriving in Tuscaloosa. In the final two seasons for the Crimson Tide, he had 98 hurries and 29 sacks, and people numbers underscore how dominant he was, at occasions. He’s the perfect Alabama defender within the Nick Saban period and probably the perfect Alabama defender at school historical past not named Derrick Thomas.
Strengths
First-step quickness and bend across the edge flashes play after playSurprising energy and the flexibility to win persistently with arms on his technique to the QBComparable to Von Miller in measurement and twitch; each are round 6-3, 245, which is undersized by NFL edge rusher requirements, however they play a lot larger than thatGreat teammate, even higher individual
Weaknesses
Made some enterprise choices in 2022, although it is onerous responsible him — he nonetheless performed by way of Alabama’s bowl gameCan typically whiff on arm tackles in space- Sometimes there does not must be one thing fallacious with a participant — with Anderson it feels such as you’re looking for points that do not actually existMade some enterprise choices in 2022, although it is onerous responsible him — he nonetheless performed by way of Alabama’s bowl sport
NFL comparability
College stats
2022
13
51
17.010.0101120211510234.517.530002020135210.57.00100
College Accolades
Honors
Career: Two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner — solely second participant to take action in award’s historical pastCareer: Two-time Unanimous first-team All-AmericanCareer: Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the YearCareer: Two-time first-team All-SEC2022: Chuck Bednarik Award2022: Lott IMPACT Trophy
2022: Rotary Lombardi Award2020: National Freshman of the Year (Football Writers Association of America)2020: Freshman All-America (FWAA, 247Sports and The Athletic)2020: SEC All-Freshman Team2020: Second-team All-SEC (Associated Press)
Notable statistics
Career: Second in program historical past in tackles for loss (62) and sacks (34.5) — trailing solely Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in each categories2021: Led FBS with 34.5 tackles for loss (second at school historical past)2021: Led FBS with 17.5 sacks (third at school historical past)2021: Five-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week2021: Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP
High faculty: Dutchtown (Hampton, Georgia)
Class: 2020
Composite Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0.9913)
National: 17 | WDE: 1 | Georgia: 4 | All-time: 377
High faculty accolades: “Super 11” crew and first-team All-State (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), All-American Bowl choice
Check out Will Anderson Jr.’s full 247Sports profile, right here. For his MaxPreps profile, click on right here.
