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Will Anderson Jr. is about to become a rich man following his domination at Alabama. The big question now turns to where he will play at the next level.
No, not location. Position.
An outside linebacker with the intent of taking the heads off of SEC quarterbacks, Anderson fits the mold of a 3-4 edge rusher based on his production. Make no mistake, Anderson said that while he played from more of a standing technique in Tuscaloosa, he’d thrive in any role on his next defense.
Will Anderson Jr.: "I have zero private workouts and zero meetings so I'll just be here working out."
?: @spielman_rick pic.twitter.com/yZS8PVkq9C
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) March 23, 2023
“I talked to quite a few teams, but I think just being at Alabama and how versatile they made, whatever system I’m in, I’ll be good,” Anderson told CBS Sports following the Crimson Tide’s Pro Day. “Playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker, playing with my hand in the dirt, most of the teams that I talked to said I could do both and that they were really excited about me.”
Slated to be a top-5 pick come April 27, Anderson’s production speaks for itself. In 2021, he led the country in both tackles for loss (31.0) and sacks (17.5). Last season, Anderson’s production dipped, but he still led the SEC in sacks with 10.5 and finished with 17 tackles for loss.
Anderson said that he’d finished all of his private workouts and meetings with teams. Now comes the waiting period between now and when he hears his name called come some point in the 1st Round of the draft.
Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Football who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.
