NFL
2023 NFL Draft: Will Anderson Jr. player profile | Height, weight, college stats and highlights
Widely seen as the number one edge rusher in the NFL draft, Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr will go early in the first round. We have a look at his numbers
Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr is widely seen as the top edge rusher in the 2023 NFL draft, and with so many teams in desperate need of beefing up their defense, he is almost guaranteed to go very quickly indeed.
A native of Marietta, Georgia, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the five-star prep star would wind up in Tuscaloosa, where he finished his college career with flashes of genius and a tally of tackles for loss and sacks that trail only the legendary Derrick Thomas.
Here is a quick rundown of his scouting report.
Will Anderson Jr.
Alabama, Edge Rusher
Age: 21
Hometown: Hampton, Georgia
Projected ranking
- Position: 1
- Overall: 3
Likely landing spots
- Seahawks (5)
- Cardinals (3)
- Lions (6)
NFL combine measurements
- Height: 6′3.5″
- Weight: 253 lbs
- Reach: 33.875″
- Hand spread: 9.875″
- 40-yard dash: 4.60 seconds
Scouting report
A five-star from Marietta, Georgia, Will Anderson Jr. has been every bit as good as he promised to be ever since his arrival in Tuscaloosa. He finished up his Crimson Tide career as the undisputed best defender in the Nick Saban era, second only to the legendary Derrick Thomas all-time.
Strengths
First-step quickness, surprising power, great hands and an uncanny ability to get to the quarterback unrelentingly. Plays bigger than his size, comparisons to Von Miller are inescapable. Great attitude.
Weaknesses
Not always comfortable in open field tackling, can miss arm tackles.
College stats
| Year | Games | Tackles | For Loss | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 | 52 | 10.5 | 7.0 |
| 2021 | 15 | 102 | 34.5 | 17.5 |
| 2022 | 13 | 51 | 17.0 | 10.0 |
College Accolades
Honors
Career
- Two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner -- only second player to do so in award’s history
- Two-time Unanimous first-team All-American
- Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Two-time first-team All-SEC
2022
- Chuck Bednarik Award
- Lott IMPACT Trophy
- Rotary Lombardi Award
2020
- National Freshman of the Year (Football Writers Association of America)
- Freshman All-America (FWAA, 247Sports and The Athletic)
- SEC All-Freshman Team
- Second-team All-SEC (Associated Press)
Notable statistics
Career
- Second in program history in tackles for loss (62) and sacks (34.5), trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in both categories
2021
- Led FBS with 34.5 tackles for loss (second in school history)
- Led FBS with 17.5 sacks (third in school history)
- Five-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week
- Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP