Will Anderson talks superstitions, improving his pass rush repertoire and why he's focused on Alabama's 2022 season and not the NFL Draft

ATLANTA — Will Anderson is a charismatic, engaging personality, who just also happens to be a freakish 250-pound pass rusher and the best football player in America. 

While a Heisman Trophy probably isn’t in the cards for Anderson, Alabama’s outside linebacker has a great chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and seems like the perfect candidate to be the cover boy for the return of EA Sports’ College Football video game next year. 

“Oh no,” Anderson said when asked if he would want to be the face of popular video game on Day 2 of SEC Media Days. 

“That’s bad luck.”

The Madden curse maybe the only thing capable of stopping Anderson, so maybe that’s a good call. 

Alabama’s junior might be as superstitious — he eats the same pregame meal every Saturday (“Macaroni Cheese, lasagna, a little bit of ranch and a Gatorade.”) and always laminates his preseason goals and places it on a nightstand next to his bed — as he is talented. And he’s really talented. 

The 6-3, now-250-pound outside linebacker gained five pounds this offseason at the behest of head coach Nick Saban, who wanted Anderson a little thicker to withstand the body-blows of a potential 15-game season. 

“I wasn’t sure my suit would still fit,” Anderson said, cracking a wide grin. 

Individually, 2022 is a very important season for Anderson, but while his goals remain unchanged — to break the seal and become the first defensive-only player to win the Heisman Trophy and be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft — he’s keenly focused on Alabama’s team goals. 

Some revenge on Texas A&M.

“That will be addressed,” he said.

Another SEC title. A national championship. 

If everyone “eats,” then everything else will take care of itself.

Anderson posted an absurd stat line in 2021 — 102 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and three pass breakups — and while his overall numbers may not be replicated, he might actually be even scarier on a down-to-down basis this fall because he’ll have more help. 

Dallas Turner is now a sophomore, who when inserted into the lineup halfway through last season, became a dynamic 1-2 pass-rush punch with Anderson. Toss in 5-star Chris Braswell, who had a monster spring game, and a couple freshmen, and Alabama touts the best outside linebacker room in America. Anderson sure feels so.

“It feels amazing to play with (Turner) because you don’t have to have everybody worried about you anymore,” Anderson said. 

“You have a player that’s equally just as good as you on the other side that can wreak havoc as well. And it’s so exciting. I love Dallas, and I say he’s going to be a big piece of our defense. 

“(We’re the best pass rushers in the country), and I think as a room, that’s our ultimate goal. We’re going to be the best outside linebacker group in the nation, and we’re going to prove that to everybody this year.”

Alabama has dominated the 1st Round of the NFL Draft in recent years, but even Saban, who is typically faint with praise for current players, admits Anderson is truly special. Not only is he an unbelievable player, but he’s a natural leader and a worker others want to emulate. 

“I’ve always said that when the best players on your team are really good people with great attitude and great mindset, it’s really helpful to developing the type of team chemistry you need to have a successful team,” Saban said of Anderson. 

Despite his lofty NFL Draft stock, Anderson never even considered sitting out the 2022 season.

“I love football too much,” he said.

He appreciates the praise but in order to fulfill his dream of being the top pick next spring, he has work to do. 

“It’s a blessing,” Anderson said of all the draft publicity. 

“But at the end of the day, you have to remember that I have to be where my feet are. I have a season to play. I have things to do in order to get there.”

Anderson’s added the weight, and he’s also spent the summer watching film of Nick Bosa and Von Miller, looking to steal a few pointers to help diversify his pass rush repertoire.

Throughout the last year, Anderson has drawn comparisons to another Alabama all-time pass rusher: Derrick Thomas. In 1988, Thomas said the record with 27 sacks in a single season. That gaudy number is impossible to duplicate, but Anderson did get around to watching some of Thomas’ old highlights. 

“He was a freakish athlete. Like, freakish,” he said.

“His ball get-off. He was like in the backfield as soon as the ball was hiked. Like, it was crazy. I felt bad for those tackles.”

They’re saying the same thing about Will Anderson now, too.