Will Anderson Jr.

William Anderson Jr. (born September 2, 2001) is an American football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he won several awards, such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama's national championship in 2020.

Anderson was selected by the Texans third overall in the 2023 NFL draft, who traded up to get him after selecting Ohio State quarterback C. J. Stroud with the previous pick. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.

Early life
Anderson was born on September 2, 2001, in Hampton, Georgia. He attended Dutchtown High School, where he recorded 22 sacks with 15 tackles for loss as a senior in 2019. Anderson was named to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Super 11" team and played in the 2020 All-American Bowl. Anderson committed to play college football at Alabama.

College career
Anderson was named a starter at outside linebacker as a freshman in 2020. He was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) after finishing with seven quarterback sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss as the Crimson Tide won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. As a sophomore in 2021, Anderson won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted a unanimous All-American after recording 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss, both of which led the nation. He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

On November 17, 2022, Anderson recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe. In the 2022 season, Anderson had 51 total tackles (24 solo), ten sacks, and one interception in 13 games. His ten sacks led the SEC for the 2022 season. He won the Bronko Nagurski Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott Impact Trophy, and the Lombardi Award,   in addition to being named a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Professional career
Anderson was drafted third overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL draft, in which, they traded with the Arizona Cardinals from the 12th overall pick that they acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade to move up to third overall. On June 23, 2023, Anderson signed a four-year deal worth $35.2 million featuring a $22.6 million signing bonus. In his NFL debut against the Ravens in Week 1, Anderson recorded one sack and six total tackles. In Week 13, against the Broncos, he recorded his first multi-sack game with two. As a rookie, he started in 13 games and appeared in 15. He finished with seven sacks, 45 total tackles (29 solo), and one pass defended. He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Anderson was named to the 2023 Pro Bowl following an injury to American Football Conference starter Maxx Crosby.

In his postseason debut, Anderson had a sack in the 45–14 victory over the Browns in the Wild Card Round.