Even with SEC Football standout Bryce Young winning the Heisman Trophy in 2021, most around college football would tell you that not only was Bryce Young not the best player in the country, but he wasn’t the best player on his team. That designation was served for the outrageous Will Anderson Jr.
Will Anderson Jr. produced a dream season in 2021 with eye-popping statistics that boggle the mind. Today we dive into the Alabama juggernaut and examine how his otherworldly production stacks up against his draft stock heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
SEC Football Way-Too-Early 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alabama OLB Will Anderson Jr.
Positives:
The minute you turn on the tape to evaluate Will Anderson Jr. – the explosiveness off the line of scrimmage is disarming. Anderson Jr. is so explosive that he is regularly beating offensive linemen out of their stance – they never stand a chance!
Will Anderson Jr. is not a finesse player. Anderson Jr. possesses electrifying speed, but he is not reliant on that one element of his game. Anderson Jr. packs a powerful punch at the point of contact that rattle would-be blockers.
Will Anderson Jr. has the fluidity and versatility to hold up as a run-defender in addition to his all-world pass-rushing capabilities. Anderson Jr. is a perfect fit off the edge in a 3-4 scheme.
Will Anderson Jr. combines upper-echelon athleticism with remarkable drive. The combination puts Anderson in the stratosphere of the best players in college football.
Negatives:
Honestly, there’s not much here to note. Measuring in at 6’4 240 lbs., Will Anderson Jr. is a unique archetype athletically for edge rushers. Traditionally, we want our edge rushers around 255-260 lbs. Draft scouts will nitpick that he does not have the prototypical size and will question his ability to anchor against athletes at the NFL level.
Overall:
Will Anderson Jr.’s sophomore season is the thing of legends. 100 tackles. 31 tackles for loss. 17.5 sacks. These are outrageous numbers that will not be duplicated anytime soon.
Will Anderson Jr. pairs the production with an athletic profile that matches a top-five prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.