Will Anderson Jr. LB/EDGE Alabama | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Will Anderson Jr. LB/EDGE Alabama
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Overall Rank: #3 Position Rank: #1 (LB) | |
| 40 time: 4.56 seconds | |
| Height: 6-4 Weight: 243 | |
| Date of Birth: 09/02/2001 Age: 20.11 | |
| Overall Rating: | 93.7 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Game performance weighted rating | ||
| Tackling: |
|
82% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
92% |
| Run Defense: |
|
100% |
| Coverage: |
|
82% |
| DRAFT PROJECTION: 1st - Top 5 Position rank: #1 | ||
| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1519 | ||
|
ESPN College Recruiting
Grade:
(85/100)
|
||
|
247 Sports Recruiting
Grade:
(99.13/100 )
|
||
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Anderson Jr. from Dutchtown High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Anderson Jr. opted to join Alabama.In 2020 as a freshman Anderson Jr. saw action in 13 games and played a total of 646 snaps for the Crimson Tide. He recorded 32 tackles, 7 assists while adding 26 stops. In coverage, Anderson Jr. notched up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 100.8. As a pass rusher, he added 60 total pressures, which included 36 QB hurries, 16 QB hits, and 8 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Crimson Tide in 2021 Anderson Jr. played in 15 games and took part on 873 snaps for the Crimson Tide. He recorded 57 tackles, 18 assists while adding 53 stops. In coverage, Anderson Jr. made no pass breakups, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 93.1. As a pass rusher he chalked up 81 total pressures, 55 QB hurries, 11 QB hits, and 15 sacks during the year.
Anderson Jr. was also ultimately selected as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, and also earned first-team honors from CBS Sports, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus and USA Today.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Flashes closing speed and agility to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle before they can escape.
- Shows toughness to get under the pads of tackles to bull them, club them upfield to get the inside lane, or fight through blocks for secondary rush when the passer steps up.
- Has enough athleticism to drop in coverage and penetrate the pocket. Has good experience as a four-year starter.
- He will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ballcarrier.
- Handles misdirection well with quick change-of-direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when he has an open lane.
- Downhill defender and physical tackler. Uses his eyes to decipher and break down the play, showing good awareness and discipline to sniff out fakes.
- Displays nice agility and awareness in coverage. Has the size and speed to be effective rushing the passer.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Builds to top speed and must take the right line to beat backs to the edge.
- Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks he must learn to defeat with his hands.
How other scouting services rate Will Anderson Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
1.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
1.0