Anderson plays with more strength and power than Thibodeaux but is every bit as explosive. He also does not have a very powerful punch that forces the offensive lineman to drop the anchor. #DrTeals #ad 0:16 13.2K views 17 38 This is a player that could become the bedrock of a defense for years to come. While Anderson led the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2021, he's probably an even better run defender. At 6-4, 245 pounds, linebacker Will . Anderson is an awesome physical talent, but the other elements of his game are almost more impressive. A talent with All-America honors on both sides of the football, he's a one-of-one in this year's draft class. Tietosuojakytnnstmme ja evstekytnnstmme voit lukea lis siit, miten kytmme henkiltietojasi. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. The Alabama EDGE can target and negate extensions with precise hands, and he can use brutal swipes to keep himself clean in congestion. 2023 Bears draft: Scouting Alabama EDGE Will Anderson 17 nationally, No. 7:23 pm ET, NFL combine 2023: Winners and losers from DB workouts, WR Jordan Addison tells Steelers to 'come get me', TCU's Johnston hopeful to surprise at NFL combine, Cunningham on USFL talk: I'm not playing in that, NFL Draft 2023: Former NFL GM on pro comps for WR, TE, Levis wants to show off his 'cannon' at NFL combine, Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft profile, scouting report, Picks for Saturday's top college basketball games, Ex-Patriots star McGinest facing 8 years in prison, Celtics booed off floor after blowing 28-point lead to Nets, LSU responds after Dunne promotes AI homework tool, Big 12 contacts four Pac-12 schools on potential move, NFL combine 2023 results tracker: Top performances, First-step quickness and bend around the edge flashes play after play, Surprising power and the ability to win consistently with hands on his way to the QB, Comparable to Von Miller in size and twitch; both are around 6-3, 245, which is undersized by NFL edge rusher standards, but they play much bigger than that, Made some business decisions in 2022, though it's hard to blame him -- he still played through Alabama's bowl game, Can sometimes whiff on arm tackles in space- Sometimes there doesn't have to be something wrong with a player -- with Anderson it feels like you're searching for issues that don't really exist, Career: Two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner -- only second player to do so in award's history, Career: Two-time Unanimous first-team All-American, Career: Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 2020: National Freshman of the Year (Football Writers Association of America), 2020: Freshman All-America (FWAA, 247Sports and The Athletic), 2020: Second-team All-SEC (Associated Press), 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), 2021: Led FBS with 17.5 sacks (third in school history), 2021: Five-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Scouting Notes. Both of these players are explosive off the snap and play with a very high motor. After visiting only Georgia Tech and Alabama, he quickly decided that he wanted to play for Nick Saban. Lastly, Anderson sometimes sacrifices leverage trying to stonewall blockers with sheer momentum, using his frame as a projectile. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (presented each year to college football's top defensive player) as a true sophomore in 2021. Could afford to add weight to maintain his physical playing style in the NFL. Game tape watched: at Mississippi State (Oct. 16, 2021), vs. Georgia (SEC Championship Game; Dec. 4, 2021), vs. Cincinnati (College Football Playoff semifinal; Dec. 31, 2021), vs. Georgia (CFP National Championship; Jan. 10, 2022). Will Anderson out here moving better than all of the actual linebackers after the NFL put him in this group is objectively hilarious. But on the field, Anderson is just as imposing. NFL Scouting Combine Notebook: Humble Anderson ready for spotlight Position: Edge Anderson scouting . Anderson burst onto the scene in 2020. It's rare to find a player with his combination of talent and intangibles. Will Anderson Jr. believes the Bears are 'onto something special' Privacy Policy, Callahan OReilly Scouting Report | Montana State ILB | 2023 NFL Draft. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. He can run and mirror tight ends in the middle of the field. Pass rush and counter moves are unreal, it's a truly unstoppable arsenal. At times, he eats up too much space before engaging and cant manipulate angles or load up his hands. SEC Football 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Anderson Jr. He was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year twice (2021, 2022), is a two-time unanimous All-American, two-time First-Team All-SEC and was named to the Second-Team All-SEC his freshman year. They understand how to set up blockers and finish. In this 2023 NFL Draft scouting report, we'll breakdown what makes Will Anderson Jr such a coveted prospect. This will present a wider area for offensive linemen to have to block and present better angles for Anderson to get to the quarterback. Where does Anderson win, where can he improve, and where might he be limited? https://t.co/w5apPmwOoW, The only good comp: pic.twitter.com/3hqOCAk4XZ. Likes to lunge and leave his feet to make tackles, leading to a high rate of missed tackles. From his movement skills to how effortlessly he took on blocks, it almost looked like he was getting bored out there. Copyright 2022 NFL Draft Diamonds. Weight: 243 lbs. His best season came in 2021 -- when he led the nation with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks en route to finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting -- but he was dominant throughout his time in Tuscaloosa. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, University of Alabama by Evan Bachman January 21, 2023 Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is a blue chip prospect in the 2023 NFL draft. Adam Anderson 2021 Preview By Charlie Campbell Career Recap: Georgia has been a factory for top-notch defensive talent under Kirby Smart, and Anderson will continue that trend for the 2022 NFL Draft. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. Scouting Report 0 Alabama Crimson Tide Linebacker USFL Draft 2023 Standouts Chase Brown Scouting Report Evan Hull Scouting Report: Is he the next Christian McCaffrey? His lack of size also hinders his scheme versatility where he will likely only fit as a 3-4 weakside linebacker. His balance and leverage stand out as particular strong points. His high character is merely another bonus to his exceptional portfolio. In 2020 as a freshman Anderson Jr. saw action in 13 games and played a total of 646 snaps for the Crimson Tide. Anderson has already fielded praise as one of the best prospects in a generation. Jake Haener Scouting Report . Having worked with one of Bill Belichick's top scouts, I know the importance the Patriots head coach places on that play. Smart as a pass rusher, has a very good understanding of how to leverage his quickness to his advantage. In what should be no surprise to anyone, Anderson Jr. had a plethora of Division I offers while at Dutchtown. Texas is starting to build some buzz and is loaded with offensive skill-position talent. Can be lethal when slanting with his get-off and movement skills. I'm blown away that he's even working out when so many top players don't. With his hands, Anderson sometimes fails to drive power directly, losing coordination and control at impact. High School: Dutchtown HS (Hampton, GA)if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Recruit (247): 2020 class- No. @AlabamaFTBL. This year's draft clearly goes through Chicago, and in this mock, the Indianapolis Colts fresh off their hiring of coach Shane Steichen make a blockbuster trade with the Bears to land their future franchise quarterback. Will Anderson says it would "mean a lot" to go No. 1 overall to the Also uses his hands well to get clean wins that lead to sacks. Will Anderson, Through the Lens of Our OLB Scouting Algorithm: -- Two-time Bronko Nagurski award winner, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time consensus All-American. I saw him get sealed by down blocks when tightly aligned a few times. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Will Anderson Jr. When rushing, Anderson has a violent disposition. All rights reserved. Will Anderson NFL Draft profile, projections, scouting report for 2022 NFL season: Which fan base most deserves a Super Bowl title. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. He can then use his violent hands to disengage from the block and make a play on the QB. Will Anderson Jr. Scouting Report - Draft Dive | 2023 NFL Draft LB As prospects prepare to see what their future holds, they will go through the Combine and Pro Days to impress NFL scouts, coaches and execs. I have been seeing a lot of analysts an sites start to drop anderson a bit in rankings and on mock drafts. Sep 3, 2022 Alabama defender Will Anderson Jr. has a chance to go down as one of the top draft prospects in recent memory. Both guys have very long arms. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! With his high pedigree and gargantuan size, Evan Neal certainly has the NFL's attention. According to a police report, LeCroy's vehicle was traveling at 104 mph when the crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. near downtown Athens, and a toxicology report indicated the driver had a blood . Oct 30, 2022 Between workouts, practice, & game day, my schedule is hectic every week. Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Alabama Edge | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report Home > College Football > Alabama Crimson Tide Football. This is when the pass rusher gets about 7-8 yards deep in the backfield often forcing the QB up in the pocket. Will Anderson Jr.'s 2023 NFL Scouting Combine workout Video Breakdown by Mike Schmitz Kyle Anderson is arguably the most unique prospect in this draft class, with an unprecedented combination of passing, rebounding, 3-point shooting percentage and basketball IQ in a 6-9 frame. Sign up to receive all the latest news and annoucements. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nations best pass rushers. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Will Liberty's Malik Willis be the next dual-threat quarterback to make scouts salivate? Will Anderson Jr. is most definitely a blue chip prospect. The youngster is stout against the run and violent at the point of contact. However, there is no denying that both players are blue-chip prospects. Not only does Anderson hit with force, but he can also generate excellent upper-body torque and use it to violently wrench down blocks when latched. 1 WDE, per 247Sports' composite rankings, 2021 Honors: Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (CFBs top defensive player), unanimous first-team All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, 2020 Honors: FWAA Freshman of the Year, Freshman All-American, SEC All-Freshman team. . He is the number one overall prospect (on average) according to ESPNs top-four pundits. Finally, in his final season with Alabama, he had 24 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 1 interception, and a pass deflection. Ever since his recruitment, he has been hyped up. But in 2022 season, his numbers were down quite a bit. Pro Football Network, LLC. But it's important to make no prospect untouchable. Wasnt routinely locking out tackles in college, more just getting them off his frame with enough room to shed the block. NFL Team News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors, Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft Overview Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? Scouting report A five-star from outside Atlanta, Will Anderson Jr. has been as good as -- and maybe better than -- advertised since arriving in Tuscaloosa. Teams will sometimes purposely leave him unblocked on runs to the other side, but he has the speed to track ball carriers down. For his efforts, Anderson was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award (2022), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2021, 2022), the Lott Trophy (2022). DraftExpress - Kyle Anderson DraftExpress Profile: Stats, Comparisons Solid 40 time for him but was admittedly expecting a little higher. Manage Settings It's almost comical what he does to tight ends and running backs when they draw the unfortunate assignment to block him. Moreover, the Alabama EDGE shows minor stiffness when changing directions in space at times. 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 ended up finishing third in the SEC with 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss to go with 52 tackles and a team-high eight quarterback pressures. Might struggle to get extension versus NFL offensive tackles. The most unique element of Anderson as a defender is the called twist and stunts that Alabama utilizes, which allow Anderson to attack the interior gaps of an offensive line with momentum, overwhelming offensive linemen with power, speed, and physicality. Has never given up on a play and will never give up on a play. NFL Draft 2023 Scouting Report (v1.0): OLB/EDGE Will Anderson, Alabama DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. Will Anderson Jr. is a menace off the edges. It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. Biggest takeaway: I could make a 20-minute highlight tape of impressive defensive snaps from Anderson during the 2021 season. Jalen Carter NFL Draft 2023 profile: Scouting report, prospect ranking His 83.6 PFF grade tells the story. Anderson is far from a liability with his size. Anderson is in a strong class of edge rushers, but he tops the list. I can't wait to watch him play: at Texas on Sept. 10. Ideal Role: Starting stand-up edge defender, TDN Consensus Grade: 92.50/100 (First-Round Value), Exposures: LSU (2022), Auburn (2022), Texas (2022), Tennessee (2022), Texas A&M (2022), Georgia CC (2021), Georgia NC (2021). 2022 NFL Draft Player Preview: Adam Anderson - WalterFootball.com In 2022, Anderson played in 13 games, amassing 51 tackles, 17 for loss, 10 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. His lack of elite athleticism simply does not warrant such a label. 2023 NFL Draft scouting report: Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. Ryan Moran Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defends against Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Derek Stingley Jr. heads into the 2021 season as one of the most hyped prospects in college football. Copyright 2019-2023. In his impressive 2021 season, Anderson secured 101 tackles, 31 for loss and a whopping 17.5 sacks in 15 games. Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowl selectee, bends a little better than Anderson but I'd give the Bama edge rusher the nod when it comes to pure power. Between Anderson and Jalen Carter, draft evaluators have a split between who is 1a and who is 1b. He's the best player in the country and I think this could be an early statement about his candidacy for the Heisman Trophy, an award that hasn't been won by a primarily defensive player since 1997. With that being said, there are not many weaknesses to his game. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. He can sustain acceleration while flexing his lower body and leaning into direction changes, making for dangerous closing speed in tight space. That's just an added luxury. February 7, 2023 Jack Brentnall NFL Draft, Scouting Reports. After seeing what he brings to an NFL team, I strongly believe he will not fall out of the top five.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); As I have mentioned several times throughout this article, Anderson is the best prospect in this draft class. 1 overall pick, but we could see several first-round picks traded as teams look to move up and take advantage of the talent at the top of this year's draft class. NFL Draft evaluators have been aware of his talent ever since he first stepped foot on a college football field. He signed with the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide and immediately factored into the starting equation. Special! In 2022, Anderson played in 13 games, amassing 51 tackles, 17 for loss, 10 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. He finished his career second in program history in both tackles for loss (62.0) and sacks (34.5) -- trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in both categories. He was also the best weakside defensive end in the nation. Youve now completed your Big Board, but if you want to save it youll need to become a TDN Premium member. 2) After dominating collegiate athletes for two seasons, it is possible that Will Anderson Jr. got bored. Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is one of the top prospects, regardless of position, as we look ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nation's best pass rushers. Moreover, Anderson is an energetic, amped-up mover for his size, traversing congested areas with effervescent twitch. Best player in college football and still decides to compete today (when he could of sat and done nothing). Anderson Jr. Is not just elite athletically, but hes very good technically as he knows how to use his hands to win leverage battles. The biggest concern about the Alabama products pass-rush arsenal is that he hasnt shown a go-to move that he can win with on the outside. Anderson has great contact balance on running plays, very rarely losing his center of gravity even when taking on two blockers. With his talent and absurd production he projects very well to the NFL, so lets break down why that is the case.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'nfldraftdiamonds_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-nfldraftdiamonds_com-banner-1-0'); This scouting report is also available in a video format here. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft 2023: Scouting report, NFL combine results Exceptionally high motor and always finishes plays; Good athletic profile all round, no real weaknesses to athleticism; Disciplined in run defense, can keep contain and has good eye discipline; Can chase down running backs from backside; Good at destructing blocks in the run game; Is able to drop into coverage if needed and has shown that he can run with tight ends; Has a sneaky amount of versatility having been used as an off-ball linebacker, 3-4 interior defensive lineman and even as a defensive tackle (aside from his usual edge role); Can win with both power and speed (and often uses the right one for different situations); Very experienced player, received a lot of gametime at college; Is able to beat double teams and overcome chipping blockers with ease; Has shown that he can overpower interior offensive lineman as well as beat offensive tackles; High character guy who is a leader in the locker room. And, the good news for him is that Anderson isn't eligible for the 2022 NFL. What Will Anderson Jr. said at NFL Scouting Combine - Sports And he can flip his hips in tight spaces, making it easier to clog lanes in run defense. Andersons hand usage as an edge rusher shows in his two-hand swipe, and he also prefers to use a long-arm to apply force to the offensive lineman and collapse them back into the quarterback. Against the run, he easily stacks single blocks and sets the edge. Many view him as the best player in the draft that is not a quarterback. The belief is Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. could be that guy. As of now, Anderson is a power rusher who is reliant upon only a couple of moves to win as a pass rusher. When his. A five-star prospect out of Dutchtown High School in Georgia, Anderson immediately became a force along Alabama's defensive line. Will Anderson Scouting Report: The Next Great EDGE Rusher in the NFL Puts himself in position to make plays consistently, but at times struggles tackling. Surprisingly strong for his size. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 243 pounds (school measurements). He is the best pass rusher in the nation because he can effortlessly bend the edge and put pressure on the QB. He is explosive as a looper on stunts, too. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. No rookie is cant-miss but Anderson is very close. Will Anderson - College Football News & Updates | FOX Sports Best part of Will Anderson's workout today was how fluid he looked dropping into coverage and redirecting. For his MaxPreps profile,click here. As a pass rusher, he has a dynamic first step. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most recognizable and decorated defensive prospects of this era. He is currently the second overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.s big board and the third overall prospect on PFFs. Scouting Report - Draft Dive | 2023 NFL Draft LB Spotlight Will Anderson Jr. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. Will Anderson Jr. - Football - University of Alabama Athletics The 2023 NFL Draft will run from April 27 to 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Prolific looping around the middle on stunts due to his speed/burst. USFL Draft 2023 Standouts February 21, 2023 . March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. We have seen what type of impact they can have at the NFL level. According to 247sports, Anderson was the best prospect coming out of the state of Georgia in the 2020 recruiting class. I love it when we get to see big non-conference matchups. But as a 2023 NFL Draft prospect, how does his scouting report stack up? And within that frame, he has high-end athletic traits. With that frame, the Alabama EDGE has elite explosiveness, top-notch lateral agility, great artificial power capacity and play strength, and good bend. At 64, 243 pounds, Anderson isnt the hulking physical specimen that prospects like Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney proved to be. Will Anderson Jr. C.J. Will Anderson Jr. with a 4.69u on his first run. . He is able to record this many sacks because of his high motor and agility through traffic. From there, he shows off his incredible body lean to close out and apply pressure on the QB. 17 Natl No. pic.twitter.com/fKnewzrpsS. Excellent change of direction for a defensive lineman to test offensive linemens ability to redirect and consistently win with inside pass-rush moves. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on Bulldogs DL Jalen Carter, with a pro comp to a former top-three pick. As the penetrator, his get-off and aggressiveness at the point of attack will catch offensive linemen off guard and get them off their feet. He's coming off a 2022 campaign in which he won the Bednarik Award as well as the Lombardi Award. I realize this is high praise but I got the same vibe watching Anderson that I did when I studied Miller coming out of Texas A&M in 2011. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. When looping from an outside gap to an interior, Anderson accelerates around the corner and has power and speed that can be too much for offensive linemen to stop. Going further, Andersons hand usage is advanced for his age. When lined up in a 3-point stance, he does a very good job of exploding forward and being the first one to engage in contact. More refinement with his hand usage, however, could help combat this. Daniel Jeremiah offers his initial scouting report, supplying a Pro Bowl comparison in the process. If he goes to a DL who utilizes him well on stunts hell pick up a few sacks every year on them alone. cnx({
When his rush does not get home, he shows the awareness to peel off and get his hands in passing lanes. He held his own when Alabama asked him to do the latter, which suggests he can be asked to zone-drop in the NFL as a change of pace. Will Anderson Jr. has the complete skill set to thrive off the edge. Overall, Anderson has proven to be a dominant edge player that plays with the passion and intensity wanted from a high draft pick and the character franchises want for a face-of-the-franchise player. As far as even fronts go, Anderson can play with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end as well, so hes scheme-versatile and a plug-and-play type of player. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. When lined up at the line, Anderson Jr. does a good job of quickly working his way toward the B gap. He combines explosiveness, power, violent hands, and a hot motor to constantly make his presence felt by quarterbacks. He also isn't super bendy to turn tight corners at the top of the rush or around the edge. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Will Anderson Jr. Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN Either they will take something #1 overall or trade the pick. Slightly undersized in terms of weight (and, as a result, strength) for NFL level; Does not have high-end, elite athleticism that is usually attached to blue-chip prospects (see Myles Garrett and Chase Young, for example); Could develop more pass-rush moves to broaden range; College production in 2021 was better than in 2022 (part of this was down to some changes in defensive scheme).