Will Anderson Jr. has been honored as college football’s best defensive player once again.

The star Alabama linebacker on Thursday was announced as the winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award during ESPN’s College Football Awards. It’s the 2nd straight year Anderson has brought home the Bednarik, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Penn State’s Paul Posluszny in 2005 and 2006. Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, in 1995 and 1996, is the only other man to win it twice.

Although Anderson’s numbers dropped in 2022, his importance to the Alabama defense was still vital. He totaled 51 tackles — 17.0 of those for a loss — and 10.0 sacks. He also added an interception. Along with his Bednarik Award win, he has also won the Nagurski Award, the Lombardi Award, and was named the SEC defensive player of the year by the Associated Press.

Two other Crimson Tide players have won the Bednarik Award: defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in 2016 and cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2017.

Although Anderson hasn’t officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he’s almost assured to do so. But his impact on Alabama’s defensive corps has been unmistakable as he’s carved out a place for himself among the program’s greats at his position.