Will Anderson Jr. says playing Bryce Young is 'all that's been going through my mind'

Everyone is buzzing about the rookie quarterback matchups when the Panthers meet the Texans. However, keep an eye on a couple of Alabama teammates. That’ll be Will Anderson rushing his close friend, Bryce Young.

Anderson never got to touch Young back when the two starred for the Crimson Tide. Like everywhere else, quarterbacks always were off-limits in Tuscaloosa. So this will be a strange sight.

The Texans rookie talked about Young this week in the leadup to Sunday’s game in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

“That’s all that’s been going through my mind is ‘I get a chance to hit Bryce Young,’ ” Will Anderson told reporters. “It’s going to be a great challenge for us. Me and Bryce go way back. We started school together, so it’s going to be fun.”

#Texans rookie Will Anderson Jr., on playing against his friend and @AlabamaFB teammate Bryce Young on Sunday 'That's all that's been going through my mind is 'I get a chance to hit Bryce Young.' It's going to be a great challenge for us. Me and Bryce go way back. We started… https://t.co/BYU4jI65PT pic.twitter.com/XcPqCbCS7K

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 27, 2023

Will Anderson called Bryce Young ‘phenomenal player’

Anderson also added: ‘It’s going to be a great challenge for us. Phenomenal player, it was great playing with him. We’re excited to play against him.”

And Bryce Young also lauded Will Anderson in interviews this week. They are close, but there’s also no reason to anger the guy who will spend the entire game trying to get in the backfield.

“A great leader,” Young said of Anderson. “It shows up on film. The strain he plays with. The effort to finish. The high motor. The pure talent and ability that he has. He’s someone that definitely disrupts a lot. It shows up and pops up on film.”

Like Young, Anderson earned a starting spot in training camp. He’s made six starts, with 24 total tackles and a sack.

Sunday’s matchup also will be a unique one because it’ll be the first time that the top three selections in the most recent draft will play in the same game. Bryce Young went No. 1, followed by two straight Texans picks — CJ Stroud and Will Anderson.

Meanwhile, trends (and the oddsmakers) suggest that the Texans will beat the winless Panthers. Sunday’s match of rookie quarterbacks will be only the fifth time in NFL history that the top two picks have faced each other head-to-head. The second pick has won three of the first four.

NBC Sports said these were the other matchups:

• Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence vs. the Jets’ Zach Wilson (2021)

• Bucs’ Jameis Winston vs. Titans Marcus Mariota (2015)

• Colts’ Peyton Manning vs Chargers’ Ryan Leaf (1998)

• Patriots’ Drew Bledsoe vs Seahawks’ Rick Mirer (1993)

And for the record, Manning was the only No. 1 pick to win the game against the No. 2 selection. But the side story also is important. Will Anderson rushing Bryce Young will be a classic matchup.