Will Anderson wins Rotary Lombardi Award

Chalk up another award for Alabama superstar edge rusher Will Anderson, now a Rotary Lombardi Award winner. The Lombardi Award is given annually to the top offensive or defensive lineman in college football who also displays the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi.

Anderson emerged as the winner from an initial watch list of 90 players in college football.

Though 2022 hasn’t been Anderson’s most productive season statistically, he’s still been a monster for Alabama, all while routinely facing double-teams and protection checks throughout the season. Anderson has recorded 51 tackles, 17.0 tackles for a loss, 10.0 sacks, an interception and two passes defended as a junior.

He’s also had the luxury of enjoying himself while he ponders his 2023 NFL Draft decision.

“It’s been in consideration, me and my family,” Anderson said Wednesday night in interviews at the Rotary Lombardi Award show. “But right now I’m just in the moment. I’m living in the moment of like, again, traveling, being a part of all these special awards, being with my family, letting them get to see all these beautiful places that we are.

“And just being in the moment, being where my feet are. I’m enjoying this moment right now and later on we might see what happens.”

Anderson also won the Bronko Nagurski Award on Monday night, claiming that honor for the second consecutive season.

Will Anderson, Bryce Young both still weighing futures

Though bowl preparations haven’t really begun in earnest yet, Alabama fans can presumably expect to hear something on the status of Anderson and quarterback Bryce Young in the near future.

At least, that’s what one ESPN analyst believes.

“I would think we’re going to know by the time they start bowl practice, right?” ESPN’s Pete Thamel said on The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday. “The intentions are going to have to be declared. I don’t know the specific date on that, but it’s int he upcoming days here at Alabama. I think it’s going to be interesting, if we got to see Ty Simpson. They really like him there. It doesn’t sound like Alabama has been particularly aggressive int he transfer portal for some of these players.

“Look, Bryce Young has had a transcendent, unbelievable, Heisman-winning, decorated career. He’s been a fun player to watch. He’s got a wiggle and sizzle to his game that’s just been a blast to kind of see. … But we move on. I think as these cycles speed up, the bowls become a little bit of like a preview for next year, as they were five years ago, a culmination of this year. It could be that for Alabama. It might be pretty interesting.”