Will Anderson Named Finalist For Bednarik Award
The Maxwell Football Club has announced three finalists for the Bednarik Award, and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. is one of them.
The junior from Hampton, Georgia is one of the top defensive players in the nation, currently leading the Southeastern Conference in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (17). Both marks are among the top-10 in the nation.
If Anderson was to win, he would be the third Alabama defender to win the award, joining Jonathan Allen (2016) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017) who won it in consecutive years.
The other finalists for the award are Cincinnati's Ivan Pace Jr., who leads the American Athletic Conference in tackles and tied for second in sacks, and USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu, who leads the Pac-12 Conference in sacks.
This is Anderson's second consecutive year being named a finalist for the award. In 2021, Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton, Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Anderson were all named finalists for the award, and it was ultimately given to Jordan Davis, the defensive lineman out of Georgia.
Anderson is one of the top prospects in next year's NFL Draft. While Alabama has an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff, if the Crimson Tide isn't one of the top four teams, there is a chance the Iron Bowl was the last game for Anderson on the college level.
The Bednarik Award, in honor of the legendary linebacker Chuck Bednarik, is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football as chosen by the Maxwell Football Club. The 2022 winner will be announced live as part of ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8.
See Also:
Roman Harper in Alabama Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023
Multiple Alabama Players Enter NCAA Transfer Portal
All Things Bama Podcast: Iron Bowl Recap, Upset Alert and College Cup
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