Even if he lacks elite size, Anderson is a potential blue-chip prospect and an early frontrunner to be a top-five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. High school:Dutchtown (Hampton, Georgia)Class:2020Composite Rating: (0.9913), High school accolades:"Super 11" team and first-team All-State (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), All-American Bowl selection. Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) Scouting Report - NFL Draft Prospect Grade - 2023 NFL DRAFT TOP PICK? The only concern that I have is his slightly below-average size and strength. 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. Anderson was a four-star recruit at defensive end coming out of the state of Georgia in high school. And within that frame, he has high-end athletic traits. Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. returns in 2022 as one of the prevailing dominant forces in all of college football. His effort is outstanding to chase from the backside. Although he is good at bending the edge and making a play on the QB from the outside of the line, he is also proficient at performing stunts and twists. Finally, Anderson is a very reliable tackler in the pursuit phase. Has shown solid hand-swipe and arm-over moves to win on the outside that he can develop in the pros. When his rush does not get home, he shows the awareness to peel off and get his hands in passing lanes. Scouting Report Following three highly successful years at Alabama, Will Anderson Jr. enters the 2023 NFL Draft aged 21. Filled with loads of talent, could he be the TOP Defensive End/Line Backer (Edge) taken in the 2023 NFL Draft? Jake Haener Scouting Report . If a tackle doesnt get out of his stance quickly hes getting beat around the edge. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Doesn't have a go-to outside move that he consistently wins with, and lacks top-tier bend to turn a tight corner at the top of outside rushes. Georgia just had five defensive players taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but is the best NFL prospect of all still in Athens? 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). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Looked very comfortable from the stand up position as a 3-4 OLB. Surprisingly strong for his size. He has enough ankle flexion to pinch tight angles around blockers when stunting. He consistently wraps up and has the strength to make solo tackles. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! 1 overall in consecutive drafts and Jalen Hurts selected in the second round last year. Rankings and scouting reports courtesy of Sports Illustrated NFL Draft Bible. He also has an effective bull rush that hell use to set up those inside countermoves and allows him to be effective when turning speed to power. Will Matt Corral follow a Zach Wilson-like trajectory to the next level? When his. Quickness will be amongst the best in the league for edge rushers. Not here. And, the good news for him is that Anderson isn't eligible for the 2022 NFL. He is the best pass rusher in the nation because he can effortlessly bend the edge and put pressure on the QB. 17 overall prospect in the 2020 class, Anderson received 39 offers coming out of high school. Versatility. Will Anderson Jr. (31) LB - 2022 Finished his three years at UA ranked second on Alabama's career sacks list with 34.5 (-201 yards), trailing only Derrick Thomas NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Trey Palmer Scouting Report . He decided to commit to the Crimson Tide . Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins. Over the past few seasons, Anderson Jr. has been one of the nation's best pass rushers. The Crimson Tide superstar won the Nagurski Award given to the best defensive player in college football in back-to-back seasons. Kun kytt sivustojamme ja sovelluksiamme, kytmme, tarjotaksemme sivustomme ja sovelluksemme sinulle, todentaaksemme kyttjt, estksemme roskapostia ja vrinkytksi sek toteuttaaksemme tietoturvatoimia. Will Anderson Scouting Report: The Next Great EDGE Rusher in the NFL??? The outside linebackers will join defensive linemen . He doesn't have wow chase speed deep down the field but he is excellent in short areas (SEE: Anderson's quick redirect and tackle against electric Georgia RB James Cook early in the second quarter of the national title game). He consistently seeks to replace hands and re-exert power when anchored and can accomplish this with his torque and explosion. 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. He can run and mirror tight ends in the middle of the field. Will Anderson Jr. played for Alabama during his freshman season and dominated from the start. It's almost comical what he does to tight ends and running backs when they draw the unfortunate assignment to block him. In his collegiate career, the Hampton, Georgia, native racked up 204 tackles, 58.5 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks, as well as an eye-popping 206 quarterback pressures. Watch the full on-field workout from Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, Anderson Jr. is a consensus top 5 pick. His balance and leverage stand out as particular strong points. But, evidently, potentially not being generational fails to amount to any real criticism of Anderson: he is essentially as flawless a draft prospect as they come at a valuable position. Will Anderson Jr. is not purely a pass-rusher, although that is what he does best. Beyond Andersons physical traits, he brings immediate high-level utility both as a pass rusher and a run defender. Position: No. Heres a comprehensive look at all those factors. 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. USFL Draft 2023 Standouts February 21, 2023 . He's as polished and explosive as any pass rusher I've ever evaluated. Anderson isnt the largest edge rusher, but hes an exceptional athlete, and he also brings surprising play strength and power capacity for his frame. When lined up at the line, Anderson Jr. does a good job of quickly working his way toward the B gap. It was an excellent final season with the Crimson Tide. During the 2021 season, he was the only player who had more sacks than Aidan Hutchinson. Get in Touch. Will Anderson Jr. is a twitchy athlete off the edge, exploding with agility that many offensive linemen cannot handle. The best way to describe Will Anderson Jr.'s college tape is that everything just looked easy for him. Here we have Alabama Crimson Tide Edge Rusher Will Anderson, who could be a Super Star in the making! Anderson has very few deficiencies, but there are several traits that arent quantifiably elite among them bend, size, and hand usage. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on the Crimson Tide quarterback after studying his game tape. 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. 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. Anderson, despite being the most talented player in college football, plays harder than anyone else on the field during what some would consider a meaningless snap. Will Anderson Jr. from Dutchtown High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports after making 22 sacks as a senior. Will Anderson has an imposing frame at 6-foot-4, 240lbs. Will Levis Scouting Report. We have seen what type of impact they can have at the NFL level. 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. He had 57 solo tackles, 17.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. This is the second entry in a series of scouting reports that will run throughout July. Teams With Need At Position: Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As the looper, his change of direction and agility allow him to move laterally without losing ground, and he has the acceleration to win and close on the quarterback. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-banner-1-0'); Anderson Jr. is a former 5-star recruit out of Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia. Former Alabama edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. is considered one of the top talents in the 2023 NFL draft class, and he put his skills on display Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. In fact, Andersons motor might be his best trait. They are devastating on the backside versus the run and they play with excellent effort. A five-star from outside Atlanta, Will Anderson Jr. has been as good as -- and maybe better than -- advertised since arriving in Tuscaloosa. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 . 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. Will Anderson Jr. so fluid on the bags. His hips sometimes lock up at the apex, and with his high-cut frame, he doesnt have elite bend or sinking capacity. So, what's the book on the Kentucky quarterback? #DrTeals #ad 0:16 13.2K views 17 38 Teams know what they will be getting with Anderson: a high-effort, tried-and-tested pass rusher. Not only quick, but his reaction time to snaps is phenomenal. Will Anderson Jr. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. Against the run, he easily stacks single blocks and sets the edge. During his career at Alabama, Anderson has been named a two-time All-American, a two-time Nagurski Award winner, and a Bednarik Award winner. Although he is a polished pass rusher, he is also effective against the run. Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most productive EDGE rushers in the nation since he arrived in Tuscaloosa. On top of all this, Anderson has a degree of bend capacity as well. Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report EDGE, Alabama Crimson Tide Will Anderson Jr. has been one of the most recognizable and decorated defensive prospects of this era. His high character is merely another bonus to his exceptional portfolio. But it's important to make no prospect untouchable. Oct 30, 2022 Between workouts, practice, & game day, my schedule is hectic every week. Alabama ran him on a ton of stunts up front, with him exploding around the corner, attacking the opposition's QB. 1 Pick, The Case for Will Levis To Be the No. When his alignment is loose on the edge, he uses that runway to devastate offensive tackles with speed-to-power rushes. Anderson brings good length at his size, with arms that will likely measure over 33. Anderson is a menace in pursuit. Puts himself in position to make plays consistently, but at times struggles tackling. Scouting Report: Alabama Crimson Tide, Linebacker, #31. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'draftdive_com-box-4','ezslot_9',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-box-4-0'); Will Anderson Jr. 40-Time 4.55-4.60 range. He signed with the vaunted Alabama Crimson Tide and immediately factored into the starting equation. 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. 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. Stroud To Be the No. He is good at clogging lanes at the line, not allowing the running back to gain positive yardage. Starting with bend, Anderson pops up a bit upright out of his stance at times, which can sap at initial explosiveness. Played 600+ snaps in 2022, 2021, and 2020 seasons. Special! In what should be no surprise to anyone, Anderson Jr. had a plethora of Division I offers while at Dutchtown. He's the best Alabama defender in the Nick Saban era and possibly the best Alabama defender in school history not named Derrick Thomas. Seven-round NFL mock draft, Round 1: Building a win-now team from active players for 2022 season, Baker Mayfield, first pick of 2018 NFL Draft, traded: Ranking the top five classes from that year. That's just an added luxury. He has a strong lower body to hold his ground in the run game and great speed around the edge to apply pressure on the quarterback. In the run game, his style is all about attacking and physically imposing his will on offensive linemen to be a dominant run defender. March 2, 2023, 9:25 PM. Has no issues shedding blocks with his hand placement and strength, and has the agility to cross the face of the offensive lineman hes engaged with to make tackles in the adjacent gap. Excluding off-ball linebackers, Anderson's pressure rate of 18.3% placed fourth in the FBS, and his 3.8% sack rate tied for third. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but there aren't many weaknesses in Will Anderson's game. EDGE, Alabama. Jos et halua meidn ja kumppaneidemme kyttvn evsteit ja henkiltietoja nihin listarkoituksiin, napsauta Hylk kaikki. . 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. Anderson was a top-50 prospect on ESPNs board in the 2020 recruiting class after racking up 22 sacks as a high school senior. Will Liberty's Malik Willis be the next dual-threat quarterback to make scouts salivate? I have to admit, though, my study provided a very clear answer to the question of whether he's worthy of the buzz. edge Will Anderson's official 40 time: 4.60.

Blazin'

The potential top position player on the board. Anderson recovered nicely with an impressive showing in his next drill to close out the day strong: Fancy footwork from , Will Anderson completely owned the pass rush drills. Anderson definitely deserved all that in 2021. DraftDive is a trusted source for draft information and predictions. Scouting report "Anderson has little weakness. What I liked: I'm tempted to say everything. But Andersons size is a notable hindrance in that pursuit. Anderson can also improve his timing and spatial awareness. cnx.cmd.push(function() {
It also allows him to get past the tackle before they get to their set point. 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. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? Please take a look and let us know what you think. The agility of Will Anderson on full display in these positional drills.

Not only is he quick off the snap, but he's a smooth operator in space. Ht: 6036 | Wt: 243 | Upd: 02/15/2023. Anderson finished his career with 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss, trailing only Derrick Thomas in school history. Looking at the details of Andersons skill set, there is an area for improvement for him as a pass rusher. He has a very quick first step which allows him to gain leverage immediately after the snap. All Rights Reserved. Statistically, Anderson matches Thibodeaux in just 20 games: 110 tackles, 29.5 for loss and 18 sacks. Scouting Report - Draft Dive | 2023 NFL Draft LB Spotlight Will Anderson Jr. Anderson is in a strong class of edge rushers, but he tops the list. Throughout the course of the week, teams will be allowed to interview players to help them make their choices easier when it comes time for the NFL draft in April. Effective on stunts as both the penetrator or looper. 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. He can be more consistent stacking counters, as his rushes sometimes die after initial moves. Anderson is far from a liability with his size. Anderson has great acceleration to get past offensive linemen and close to the quarterback. Hopefully, whoever drafts him has the brains to stand him up as a 4-3 or 3-4 rusher and allow him to wreak havoc. Here's how he fared from an advanced analytics perspective, with. Teams will sometimes purposely leave him unblocked on runs to the other side, but he has the speed to track ball carriers down. Widely known as one of the best players in college football. He has been elite for Alabama since he first stepped foot on the field. The former Alabama linebacker recorded a strong unofficial time of 4.69 seconds at 253 pounds. Main Photo: Gary Cosby Jr. USA Today Sports. Pro Football Focus: DT Jalen. OLB | JR | Alabama. Manage Settings A talent with All-America honors on both sides of the football, he's a one-of-one in this year's draft class. 2021 statistics (15 games played): 102 tackles (58 solo), 34.5 for loss (17.5 sacks), three passes defensed. Weaknesses Despite getting good leverage on most pass rushing plays. The belief is Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. could be that guy. All Rights Reserved. Personally, I believe that Anderson is the best prospect in this draft class. The Minnesota Vikings are currently at the NFL Scouting Combine looking to find the next future stars to wear the purple and gold. However, I was most blown away by his performance on extra-point attempts. The Will Anderson scouting report is that he is a versatile, highly-athletic EDGE player. . Login. Ever since his recruitment, he has been hyped up. Your login session has expired. Weight: 243 lbs. He needs to do a better job of getting his eyes inside when unblocked to see pullers coming and shore up his tackling form, but those are two very fixable flaws. Copyright 2019-2023. Will Anderson Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report. Privacy Policy, Callahan OReilly Scouting Report | Montana State ILB | 2023 NFL Draft. Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1, 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. He's a two-time unanimous All-American, two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and two-time Nagurski Trophy winner, given to the nation's best defender. Reminder to everyone that the 1.61 split is the important part for Will Anderson, not the 4.69 (which is still okay at 250+). 17 nationally, No. Will Anderson Jr. Will Anderson Jr. was one of the best defensive players in college football over the last decade. Click Here To Find Out How To Test. Also uses his hands well to get clean wins that lead to sacks. Will Anderson The QB Hunter: Bears 2023 Draft Scouting Report By Erik Lambert - Jan 16, 2023 5030 The Chicago Bears have a big decision ahead of them with the 2023 NFL draft. He can then use his violent hands to disengage from the block and make a play on the QB. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. section: | slug: will-anderson-jr-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-nfl-combine-results-prospect-ranking-pro-comparison-more | sport: football | route: article_single_special | It wouldn't be too far-fetched to say Anderson is a more violent player too. In a similar vein, his hands can be somewhat lax on occasion. His numbers and measurements were similar to some talented edge-rushers: Will Anderson Jr. official 40 time: 4.60s, Khalil Mack Combine
6'2 5/8, 251
33 1/4 arm
10 1/4 hand
40: 4.65
Split: 1.64

DeMarcus Ware Combine:
6'4, 251
33 1/4 arm
10 hand
40: 4.69
Split: 1.68

Will Anderson Combine:
6'3 1/2, 253
33 7/8 arm
9 7/8 hand
40: 4.69u
Split: 1.61u. Though he is considered to be an edge-rusher, Anderson participated in drills with the linebackers group rather than the defensive linemen. It's clear that any team that lands Anderson will be getting a generational talent, and he further cemented his status as a top prospect in this year's draft class with his performance Thursday. Anderson has great contact balance on running plays, very rarely losing his center of gravity even when taking on two blockers. Will Anderson Scouting Report. Anderson has elite production, to the level where him failing almost seems impossible. Will Anderson Jr. is one of the most hyped players in the 2023 NFL draft class. , Now we're talking, baby. Can the talented LSU cornerback live up to the hype? But it was even more distinct in 2021 when Anderson ruled the trenches to the tune of 17 1/2 sacks and 31 tackles for loss. Daniel Jeremiah scouts the Oregon star and provides an eye-opening player comp. Will Anderson Jr. is a direct replica of Von Miller. Hes a lot stronger than his frame would suggest. In the last two seasons for the. : LSU (2022), Auburn (2022), Texas (2022), Tennessee (2022), Texas A&M (2022), Georgia CC (2021), Georgia NC (2021), Tradeable picks in the Mock Draft Machine. Could afford to add weight to maintain his physical playing style in the NFL. It's the adjective that swamps his evaluation when asked about Montana State do-it-all prospect Troy Andersen. He can knife through double-teams to tally tackles for loss. I have been seeing a lot of analysts an sites start to drop anderson a bit in rankings and on mock drafts. 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. Anderson Jr. is also good at effectively running the arc. One analyst Daniel Kelly even called him lazy. The 2023 NFL Draft will run from April 27 to 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Will Anderson Jr. rarely ever comes off the field. For his MaxPreps profile,click here. 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. The Alabama EDGE lacks quantifiably elite strength and length and can struggle to deconstruct around the apex against larger tackles. While Anderson may go on to be one of the best EDGE prospects over the past few cycles, he falls a bit short of the generational label. Recognizes blocking schemes well to put himself in a good position to take on blocksi.e., working wide versus reaches or shooting his hands to play the cut. Daniel Jeremiah offers his initial scouting report, supplying a Pro Bowl comparison in the process. He is a strong power pass-rusher and excellent against the run. His speed off the ball puts pressure on tackles vertically, and once they open their hips, he has the quickness and change of direction to dart inside and leave tackles grasping at air. In his impressive 2021 season, Anderson secured 101 tackles, 31 for loss and a whopping 17.5 sacks in 15 games. Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? After bursting onto the scene in Nick Saban's defense as a true freshman in 2020, Will Anderson Jr. cemented himself in the elite class of college football talents in 2021, showing the ability to dominate off the edge against top competition. Is Kayvon Thibodeaux the NFL's next dominant edge defender? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-draftdive_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Anderson Jr. is the most polished prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Draft Network. He is able to record this many sacks because of his high motor and agility through traffic.