Will Anderson Jr.

Last updated

Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. NFL Combine (cropped).png
Anderson Jr. at the 2023 NFL Combine
No. 51 – Houston Texans
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (2001-09-02) September 2, 2001 (age 23)
Hampton, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:243 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school: Dutchtown (Hampton)
College: Alabama (2020–2022)
NFL draft: 2023  / round: 1 / pick: 3
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:45
Sacks:7.0
Pass deflections:1
Player stats at PFR

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.

Contents

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 's "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. [13] [24]

College statistics

SeasonGPTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
SoloAstCmbTfLSckIntYdsAvgTDPDFRYdsTDFF
2020 1333185210.57.0000.0000001
2021 1558451013117.5000.0030000
2022 132427511710.012525.0120000
Career 411159020458.534.512525.0150001

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split
6 ft 3+12 in
(1.92 m)
253 lb
(115 kg)
33+78 in
(0.86 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.60 s1.61 s2.64 s
All values from the NFL Combine [25] [26]

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. [27] [28] On June 23, 2023, Anderson signed a four-year deal worth $35.2 million featuring a $22.6 million signing bonus. [29] In his NFL debut against the Ravens in Week 1, Anderson recorded one sack and six total tackles. [30] In Week 13, against the Broncos, he recorded his first multi-sack game with two. [31] 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. [32] He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. [33] He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. [34]

Anderson was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl following an injury to American Football Conference starter Maxx Crosby. [35]

In his postseason debut, Anderson had a sack in the 45–14 victory over the Browns in the Wild Card Round. [36]

Personal life

Anderson is a Christian. [37] Anderson is the son of Will Anderson Sr. and Tereon Anderson. He has five older sisters. [38]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesFumblesInterceptions
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLFFFRYdsTDIntYdsTDPD
2023 HOU 15134529167.0101
Career 15134529167.0101

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References

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