Jahmyr Gibbs explains what has impressed him most about Will Anderson, Alabama's defense

Alabama transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs joined the Crimson Tide this season after spending two years at Georgia Tech. It’s no secret that Alabama’s rosters are typically loaded with future NFL talent, and this year is no different. Gibbs was asked who has stood out as the toughest defender to line up against at practice, and while he did give credit to every player on that side of the ball, he couldn’t help but mention star edge Will Anderson.

“All those guys are great, you know how that be. Will he’s a very smart player, he’s probably one of the smartest players I’ve ever played against. He knows how to jump gaps side to side at an instant, and I don’t know all of them guys are good,” Gibbs said.

Anderson may have stood out to Gibbs in practice, but he stood out to the whole nation last season with his performance securing the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player. Anderson led the nation in tackles for loss with 34.5, which added up to negative 148 yards for opponents, and also added 17.5 sacks to his breakout season.

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Most rightfully regard Anderson as the best returning defensive player in the nation, but the Tide also have one of the most versatile running backs in the country in Gibbs. Gibbs racked up 1,805 total yards and seven touchdowns last season between rushing, receiving, and kick returns while also being named to the 2021 All-ACC Team at three different positions.

The talent alone between Gibbs and Anderson is immense, but barely scratches the surface of the talent of the entire Alabama roster, as they continue their mission to get back to the National Championship game this season and see different results.

Nick Saban explains how Jahmyr Gibbs helps ‘iron sharpen iron’

Alabama linebacker Henry To’oTo’o recently said that transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs is the fastest running back he’s ever had to cover before, a great sign for the Alabama offense heading into the season. Head coach Nick Saban detailed the importance of his top offensive talent practicing against his top defensive talent not just this year, but historically at Alabama. 

“I think everybody is helped by the quality of players we have on offense and defense, you know Patrick Surtain would probably tell you I covered Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, Smitty, Jaylen Waddle every day in practice for three years. How many guys do I play against in a game that was any better than those guys, based on where they got drafted and all that and how much production they had? So I think iron sort of sharpens iron at every position, Cam Robinson won the Outland trophy playing left tackle around here and the guy playing right end, he won the Nagurski, Jonathan Allen; they practiced against each other for three years,” Saban years.

The proof is in the pudding for Saban, Alabama constantly recruiting and developing the nation’s top talent combined with college football players having to play at least three seasons before declaring for the NFL draft definitely creates as an elite practice environment full of great competition year in and year out for the Tide. Saban elaborated on how Gibbs is specifically contributing to the betterment of the team through his play at practice.

“So it helps everybody get better when you have good players, Jahmyr Gibbs plays at a different speed, he breaks contain on the defense, that’s good for the defense so when we play against a good back that has great speed, maybe we can keep leverage on him better. So it not only helps Henry, it probably helps everybody on the defensive team and I think it helps at every position. That players get challenged in practice and they have to do things correctly and create good habits so they have the best chance to be successful when the game comes,” Saban said.