Now that the conference championship games are out of the way, it is officially college football award season, and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, Jr. is on pace to be the most decorated Crimson Tide player this year.
Anderson was awarded the Nagurski Trophy, an award given to the nation’s top defensive player, for the second consecutive season. He becomes just the second player in the 30-year history of the Nagurski Trophy to earn the honor in consecutive seasons, joining Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, who won it in 1995 and 1996. was also recognized as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, the second year in a row he has been given the honor. Anderson recorded 51 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and added a pick-six to top off his achievements this season. While his stats this season weren’t as gaudy as last season, his tackles for loss and sacks were enough to rank first in the SEC.
Anderson was also selected to the AP All-SEC Team, joined by eight of his Alabama teammates.
The three first-team selections besides Anderson to the AP All-SEC Team are:
Byron Young
Defensive lineman Byron Young returned for his senior season and was rewarded with his first-team All-SEC selection. Young started all 12 games for the Crimson Tide and totaled 46 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Young also had six quarterback pressures, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Kool-AId McKinstry
Defensive back Kool-AId McKinstry was the Tide’s most consistent lockdown corner this season. McKinstry recorded 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. McKinstry also had a team-high 12 pass breakups to go along with two fumble recoveries and an interception. On top of his defensive back duties, McKinstry also handled the punt returns, finishing second in the nation with 317 punt return yards, and averaging 15.8 yards per return.
Emil Ekiyor, Jr.
The most consistent offensive lineman for Alabama this season was third-year starting guard Emil Ekiyor, Jr. Ekiyor started 11 games and played in all 12, leading the team in knockdown blocks with 31. Alabama dropped back to pass 479 times, and Ekiyor was only responsible for allowing one sack and eight pressures. He also committed just one penalty.
The five second-team selections to the AP All-SEC Team are:
Bryce Young
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner didn’t have his best season, but Alabama’s season could have been much worse without him. Young became the only quarterback in Alabama history to throw for 3,000-plus yards in two seasons. He threw for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also added four rushing touchdowns and 195 rushing yards on 46 carries.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs provided Alabama with an explosive playmaker this season. and he received second-team honors both as a running back and at all-purpose. Gibbs totaled a team-high 850 rushing yards while adding seven touchdowns on the ground. He also had a team-leading 42 receptions for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
Will Reichard
One of the most, if not the most reliable kicker in Alabama history, Will Reichard set the Alabama all-time record for career points with 417. Reichard finished fourth in the nation in points with 121 this season. He successfully made 21 field goals on 25 attempts and made all 58 extra-point attempts.
Jordan Battle
Defensive back Jordan Battle passed on the NFL Draft to return for his senior season and provided some veteran leadership for the Alabama secondary. He recorded 62 tackles as well as two pass breakups.
Brian Branch
Junior defensive back Brian Branch added much-needed versatility to the Alabama secondary. Branch finished the season third on the team in tackles with 78 and second on the team in tackles for loss with 10, also adding two sacks. Branch also recorded seven pass breakups and an interception. To go along with his defensive stats, Branch returned two punts for 65 yards and a touchdown.
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