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Why people are so high on new Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson (AL.com)
Practice one-on-ones at the All-American Bowl pitted Will Anderson against some of the nation’s top offensive linemen, sessions that — based on videos from the event — typically ended the same way.
With Anderson winning the matchup.
For 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons, that week in San Antonio was confirmation.
Confirmation that Alabama is getting a truly elite outside linebacker prospect.
“I think he’s the best edge rusher in this class,” Simmons said of Anderson.
Recruiting analysts love Anderson. So do other people in the football world.
After not even being ranked among the top three outside linebackers in Alabama’s own recruiting class for most of the recruiting process, Anderson is now the highest-ranked player in the Crimson Tide class aside from five-star quarterback Bryce Young.
It’s because of what the Georgia native showed while accumulating 22 sacks as a high school senior.
And because of what he showed in San Antonio while working against — and beating — players like five-star Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Anderson ended the recruiting cycle as a five-star player and jumped up 59 spots in 247Sports’ final rankings update in late January, moving up from 64th overall all the way to No. 5 within those 247 individual rankings.
The 247 Composite rankings have him at No. 17 overall and as the top-ranked weak-side defensive end for this recruiting cycle.
“We loved his film as a junior and a senior and the production was there with 40 combined sacks in those two seasons, but we had very limited exposure to him until the All-American Bowl in San Antonio,” Simmons said. “He showed up and totally dominated. His edge speed was elite. He showed really good power. And his body type checked out. When you put the complete picture together with all the context added, his jump was a pretty easy call to make.”
Anderson is part of an excellent Alabama outside linebacker class, one that includes two other five-star players (Chris Braswell and Drew Sanders) as well as four-star Jackson-Olin product Quandarrius Robinson.
Anderson is now the headliner of that group, a special player with big potential who will be in the mix to be an immediate contributor for the Tide, especially with Alabama losing both starting outside linebackers from last year’s team.
“Extremely high motor guy,” an SEC staffer told AL.com of Anderson. “… He’s a loose edge rusher that can move his hands and feet at the same time and has a variety of moves. He’s got natural feel for (pass rushing).”
“One of my favorite kids in the class,” another Power Five staffer told AL.com of Anderson. “… Unbelievable kid. Humble. Works his ass off. Comes from a high school program that is one of the best/organized practices we have ever seen. Practices and plays tough as shit. Will has great parents and family. Future first-round pick because of talent and will outwork everyone in the building.”
Practice one-on-ones at the All-American Bowl pitted Will Anderson against some of the nation’s top offensive linemen, sessions that — based on videos from the event — typically ended the same way.
With Anderson winning the matchup.
For 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons, that week in San Antonio was confirmation.
Confirmation that Alabama is getting a truly elite outside linebacker prospect.
“I think he’s the best edge rusher in this class,” Simmons said of Anderson.
Recruiting analysts love Anderson. So do other people in the football world.
After not even being ranked among the top three outside linebackers in Alabama’s own recruiting class for most of the recruiting process, Anderson is now the highest-ranked player in the Crimson Tide class aside from five-star quarterback Bryce Young.
It’s because of what the Georgia native showed while accumulating 22 sacks as a high school senior.
And because of what he showed in San Antonio while working against — and beating — players like five-star Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Anderson ended the recruiting cycle as a five-star player and jumped up 59 spots in 247Sports’ final rankings update in late January, moving up from 64th overall all the way to No. 5 within those 247 individual rankings.
The 247 Composite rankings have him at No. 17 overall and as the top-ranked weak-side defensive end for this recruiting cycle.
“We loved his film as a junior and a senior and the production was there with 40 combined sacks in those two seasons, but we had very limited exposure to him until the All-American Bowl in San Antonio,” Simmons said. “He showed up and totally dominated. His edge speed was elite. He showed really good power. And his body type checked out. When you put the complete picture together with all the context added, his jump was a pretty easy call to make.”
Anderson is part of an excellent Alabama outside linebacker class, one that includes two other five-star players (Chris Braswell and Drew Sanders) as well as four-star Jackson-Olin product Quandarrius Robinson.
Anderson is now the headliner of that group, a special player with big potential who will be in the mix to be an immediate contributor for the Tide, especially with Alabama losing both starting outside linebackers from last year’s team.
“Extremely high motor guy,” an SEC staffer told AL.com of Anderson. “… He’s a loose edge rusher that can move his hands and feet at the same time and has a variety of moves. He’s got natural feel for (pass rushing).”
“One of my favorite kids in the class,” another Power Five staffer told AL.com of Anderson. “… Unbelievable kid. Humble. Works his ass off. Comes from a high school program that is one of the best/organized practices we have ever seen. Practices and plays tough as shit. Will has great parents and family. Future first-round pick because of talent and will outwork everyone in the building.”
