Former Alabama star named finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year
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Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. was named 1 of 5 finalists for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday morning.
The Crimson Tide turned Houston Texans standout defensive end is a nominee for the prestigious honor for the first time in his career. But Anderson, who just completed his 3rd season with the Texans, has already been honored at the NFL level, capturing Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023.
Two years later, after a phenomenal season in helping the Texans earn a wild-card spot in the NFL playoffs, Anderson is up for another big-time honor. He was joined on the list of nominees by Denver Broncos linebacker and former Oklahoma star Nik Bonitto, Cleveland Browns edge rusher and former Texas A&M standout Myles Garrett, Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons.
The Texans’ social media account celebrated Anderson’s nomination with this post:
Anderson was all over the field this past season for Houston, posting 54 combined tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 17 games. He was named to his first AP All-Pro Team for his efforts, and now there’s a possibility for another big-time honor for the former 3rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was also named to the Pro Bowl this season for the 2nd time in his career, with Anderson also having made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2023.
Anderson had a monster career at Alabama. He was a 2-time unanimous All-American selection, a 2-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a 2-time All-SEC First Team pick during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Anderson also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy during those incredible 2021 and 2022 seasons, while capturing the Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award in 2022.
Now, it might be time to make room again for another award in that personal trophy case.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
