Ryan Anderson might not get the same publicity as Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster or even Tim Williams, but make no mistake: He is just as vital a component to the Alabama defense.

In an interview with reporters this week, Anderson described Allen as “the heart and soul” of the defense, but the high-motored Anderson has proven his value on the unit also.

Prior to the start of this season, Anderson received some acclaim by earning a spot on the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list. The award is partly based on performance but is heavily geared toward leadership. The only Alabama player to have earned the award is Cornelius Bennett in 1986.

The fifth-year senior possesses both attributes whether he wins the award or not. Last season, Anderson was third on the team in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (11.5), trailing Allen and Williams in both departments. His 37 tackles ranked second among returning linebackers.

Saban singled out Anderson at his press conference on Wednesday by calling him “a true leader” on the team, and he’s proven that while lining up alongside fellow LB senior Reuben Foster.

Joking with reporters, Anderson said Foster described his body this season as a Ferrari, while last season’s version was a Tahoe. Anderson said he believed it, too, after he was startled in watching Foster make a hard hit on Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly. He was impressed with Foster’s speed and power.

However, Anderson has made his presence felt the last couple of years also.

Alabama fans may remember Anderson from last season as the player who forced a fumble against Tennessee on the team’s final offensive drive, securing the team’s 19-14 win at home.

Anderson already has a highlight-reel play for this season after knocking the ball loose from Ole Miss Chad Kelly, enabling Da’Ron Payne to scoop the ball and score a touchdown that tied the game, 24-24.

The play was retribution for Anderson, who received a roughing the passer penalty that kept an offensive drive for Ole Miss alive, eventually resulting in the touchdown that gave the Rebels their largest lead at 24-3. Replays showed Anderson was guilty of the infraction, perhaps a result of the same motor that attracts coaches and scouts to Anderson in the first place.

So far this season, Anderson is second on the team in sacks with 2.5 just behind Jonathan Allen’s three. Meanwhile, Anderson is third among linebackers in tackles with 10, behind Foster and Shaun Dion Hamilton.

However, the 253-pound Anderson is taking notes from a teammate at defensive tackle in one respect. He said he tries to emulate defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson’s impeccable hand technique, but unsuccessfully.

“I sit and I watch a lot of the stuff that he does with his hands, and I can’t really pick up on it because it’s just natural the stuff he’s doing,” Anderson said. “I don’t know if he took jujitsu or something, but it’s just so quick.”

Anderson’s humor is not lost on Saban, who pointed it out at his press conference on Wednesday, but Anderson is a fierce competitor, too.

This season, his goal is to get to each quarterback the team plays. With one sack on both Max Browne and Chad Kelly to go with a half sack on Mike White, he’s reached his goal so far, but the season is still young.