On Thursday, Alabama linebacker Will Anderson added another award to his crowded trophy case as he was named the Chuck Bednarik Award winner, an honor given to the nation’s best defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club. This was the second year in a row Anderson was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, last year falling short to Georgia’s Jordan Davis.
In an interview on ESPN, he was asked what the award meant to him and his future plans were since he most likely will be a top 10 NFL draft pick.
“Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment, enjoying all the awards shows,” Anderson said. “Getting to spend time with my family has been one of my biggest priorities right now. I’m still working out with the team. I still have a conversation to have with Coach Saban. But right now, I’m just living in the moment and enjoying the whole process.”
This season Anderson recorded 51 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and added a pick-six to top of his achievements. While his stats this season weren’t as impressive as last season, his tackles for loss and sacks were enough to rank first in the SEC. Anderson is also tied for seventh place nationally with 10 sacks and in 10th place in tackles for loss. With 62 tackles for loss and 34.5 sacks for his career, Anderson is now second in Alabama program history in both categories, trailing only the late Derrick Thomas.
With Anderson’s win Thursday, he is the third Chuck Bednarik Award winner in Crimson Tide program history joining Jonathan Allen and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Anderson’s excellent play this season has been rewarded with multiple trophies and accolades with the possibility of even more as he is also a finalist for the Lott Impact Trophy, which will be announced on Sunday.
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