Alabama linebacker Will Anderson on his nickname, pre-game music choices

Alabama sophomore linebacker Will Anderson has a nickname and a favorite type of music, but the two don’t seem to match up. 

The young pass rusher started the Crimson Tide’s first game last year and continued his dominant reign as a true freshman, which culminated in being selected as the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year. 

Anderson earned the nickname “Terminator” last year after compiling 52 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, seven sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. His seven sacks ranked third in the SEC, including two multi-sack games against Arkansas and Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Anderson will likely be one of the defensive stars of 2021 and a favorite to win the Bednarik Award given to the nation’s top defensive player. 

“I hear it almost every day,” Anderson said with a smile. “They still call me the ‘Terminator.’ It’s a great nickname. It’s funny. I laugh now that I hear it.”

But Anderson’s music of choice — especially when preparing to “flip the switch” during pregame warmups — is a little more tranquil. 

“A little ’90s R&B, something calm, cool and collected,” Anderson said with a smile. “I listen to a little ’90s to just get me in my mood, just mellow me out and chill.”

While it might appear a little counterintuitive for an aggressive pass rusher to go into a game “mellow,” it seems to work for Anderson.

If offenses hear R&B during games this season, look out for Anderson.

Tide not overlooking No. 14 Miami

Anderson and the loaded Alabama linebacker corps will travel to Atlanta this weekend for their Top-15 showdown with Miami. While the Tide are the country’s No. 1 program, they are not discounting the No. 14 Hurricanes. 

“This is a very challenging game for us against a very, very good team,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said on Monday. “Our players have to be focused on playing one play at a time. I think sometimes things happen in opening games that are unexpected or maybe you’re unprepared for. You’ve got to be able to adapt and adjust and play the next play.”

Saban was particularly complimentary of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King who will see the field for the first time since he tore his ACL in last year’s Cheez-It Bowl. King is a versatile threat able to make big throws with his arm and move relatively freely should he be pressured. 

“When you have great athletes that have great speed, especially at the quarterback position, that adds another element,” Saban said. “You’re out here trying to cover all of these guys, but then you’ve got a quarterback who has the ability to scramble, extend plays, make plays scrambling, throwing as well as running.”

King will have a crop of wide receivers including Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo. Rambo is poised to have a breakout season and potentially be a 1,000 yard receiver.

While Miami could challenge Alabama in the first half, Saban has yet to lose an opener with the Crimson Tide. Since his arrival in 2007, six of Alabama’s first opponents have been ranked. They beat those teams by an average of 23.7 points.