40 Facts About Will Anderson Jr

Early Life and High School Career

Will Anderson Jr.'s journey to football stardom began in Hampton, Georgia. His early years laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Birth and Early Life: Will Anderson Jr. was born on September 2, 2001, in Hampton, Georgia.
2. High School Career: Anderson attended Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia, where he was a standout athlete. In his senior year, he recorded 22 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
3. High School Honors: Anderson was named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Super 11" team and played in the 2020 All-American Bowl.
4. College Commitment: After a successful high school career, Anderson committed to play college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
5. High School Offers: Anderson received nearly 40 college football scholarship offers, including from Auburn, LSU, and Tennessee, before choosing to sign with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

College Career and Achievements

At Alabama, Anderson quickly established himself as a defensive force, earning numerous awards and accolades.

6. College Career: Anderson was named a starter at outside linebacker as a freshman in 2020. He quickly made a name for himself with his impressive defensive skills.
7. Awards and Accolades: During his college career, Anderson won several awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, the Bednarik Award, the Lott Impact Trophy, and the Lombardi Award.
8. SEC Defensive Player of the Year: Anderson was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2022.
9. Unanimous All-American: He was a unanimous All-American in both 2021 and 2022, earning first-team honors from various organizations such as the AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus, and USA Today.
10. College Statistics: In his three years at Alabama, Anderson finished with 34.5 sacks (-201 yards), which ranked him second on Alabama's career sacks list behind Derrick Thomas. He also had 62 tackles for loss (-272 yards), second in UA history behind Thomas.

Dominant Performances

Anderson's on-field performances were nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his dominance in various games.

11. Dominant Play: Anderson led the nation in tackles for loss with 34.5 (-148 yards) in his sophomore season and contributed 17.5 sacks (-108 yards), which paced all Division I defenders and ranked third in UA single-season history.
12. Game Highlights: In various games, Anderson showcased his dominance. For example, against Tennessee, he led the Alabama defense in tackles with eight, including two more sacks (-3 yards). Against LSU, he finished with a game-high and career-best 12 tackles, including eight solo stops, four tackles for loss (-13 yards), and 1.5 sacks (-8 yards).
13. College Finale: In his final season, Anderson totaled 22 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, playing a major role on a Dutchtown defense that allowed an average of just 7.7 points per game.
14. Permanent Team Captain: Anderson was selected as one of the Crimson Tide's permanent team captains for the 2021 season.
15. Game-High Tackles: In the game against LSU, Anderson finished with a game-high and career-best 12 tackles, including eight solo stops.
16. Tackles for Loss: Anderson accumulated 102 total tackles, good for second on UA, while adding a team-high nine quarterback hurries to go with three pass breakups.
17. Quarterback Hurries: Anderson contributed a team-high nine quarterback hurries to his stat line in the 2021 season.
18. Pass Breakups: He also added three pass breakups to his defensive statistics in the same season.
19. Four-Plus Sacks in a Game: Anderson became just the third player in Alabama history to record four-plus sacks in a game, joining Derrick Thomas and Leroy Cook.
20. Alabama’s Career Sacks List: Anderson finished his three years at Alabama ranked second on the Crimson Tide's career sacks list with 34.5 (-201 yards), trailing only Derrick Thomas.

Transition to the NFL

Anderson's transition to the NFL was marked by a high draft pick and immediate impact on the field.

21. Draft Selection: The Houston Texans selected Anderson third overall in the 2023 NFL draft, trading up to get him after selecting Ohio State quarterback C. J. Stroud with the previous pick.
22. Draft Trade: The Texans traded with the Arizona Cardinals from the 12th overall pick they acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade to move up to third overall.
23. Signing Bonus: On June 23, 2023, Anderson signed a four-year deal worth $35.2 million featuring a $22.6 million signing bonus.
24. NFL Debut: In his NFL debut against the Ravens in Week 1, Anderson recorded one sack and six total tackles.
25. Rookie Season: As a rookie, Anderson started in 13 games and appeared in 15. He finished with seven sacks, 45 total tackles (29 solo), and one pass defended.
26. Defensive Rookie of the Year: Anderson was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
27. Pro Bowl Selection: Despite an injury to American Football Conference starter Maxx Crosby, Anderson was selected to the 2023 Pro Bowl.
28. Postseason Debut: In his postseason debut, Anderson had a sack in the 45–14 victory over the Browns in the Wild Card Round.

NFL Career Statistics

Anderson's NFL career statistics reflect his continued excellence on the field.

29. Regular Season Statistics (2023): In the 2023 regular season, Anderson played 15 games, recording 45 total tackles (29 solo), seven sacks, and one pass defended.
30. Regular Season Statistics (2024): In the 2024 regular season, Anderson has played eight games, recording 27 total tackles (20 solo), seven sacks, and one pass defended.
31. Career Statistics: As of the end of the 2024 season, Anderson has played 23 games, recording 72 total tackles (49 solo), 14.5 sacks, and two passes defended.

College Dominance

Anderson's college career was marked by numerous accolades and dominant performances.

32. College Sacks Leader: Anderson led the SEC in sacks for the 2022 season with ten.
33. Interception Return: On November 17, 2022, Anderson recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe.
34. SEC Dominance: In the 2022 season, Anderson had 51 total tackles (24 solo), ten sacks, and one interception in 13 games. His ten sacks led the SEC for that season.
35. Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner: Anderson is the only player in the Bronko Nagurski Trophy's history to win the award twice.
36. Bednarik Award Winner: He was also a recipient of the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defender.
37. Lott Impact Trophy Winner: Anderson won the Lott Impact Trophy, which recognizes a player for their performance on the field and character off the field.
38. Rotary Lombardi Winner: He was named the Rotary Lombardi winner, another prestigious award for defensive players.

Legacy and Impact

Will Anderson Jr.'s legacy is already being cemented as one of the top defensive players in recent history.

39. Permanent Team Captain: Anderson was selected as one of the Crimson Tide's permanent team captains for the 2021 season.
40. Tackles for Loss in College: He also finished second in UA history behind Thomas in tackles for loss with 62 (-272 yards).

Will Anderson Jr.'s Impact on Football

Will Anderson Jr. has quickly become a force in football. From his high school days at Dutchtown High in Georgia to his standout college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, he's consistently shown exceptional talent. His impressive stats, including 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss in college, highlight his dominance on the field.

Selected third overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anderson's rookie season didn't disappoint. He recorded seven sacks and 45 total tackles, earning him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His accolades, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award, underscore his defensive prowess.

As Anderson continues his NFL journey, fans eagerly anticipate his future contributions. His hard work, dedication, and exceptional skills make him a player to watch, promising an exciting career ahead.