5x5: The Best Alabama OLB/Edge Rushers During the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Jul 29, 2023 7:00 AM EDT

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Alabama Crimson Tide

If there was a want-ad listing for the Jack linebacker position in Nick Saban's defensive scheme with the Alabama Crimson Tide, it wouldn't land many responses.

The "wanted" part of it would include things like having good size and height but not bulky, great first step, outstanding closing speed, ideal athleticism and durability, long arms and great length, terrific footwork, powerful build, great body control and a relentless nature that can serve as a model for the kind of horror movie franchise in which the villain seemingly can't stop.

The description could be summed up with one word, "freak." It could also then include a photograph of Will Anderson Jr.

When Anderson goes into the College Football Hall of Fame someday, and rest assured it's a much bigger question of when instead of if, he'll be known as the second-best pass-rusher in Crimson Tide history, behind only Derrick Thomas, who might have been the greatest in all of football.

Although playing Saban's Jack linebacker spot is especially tricky because the position requires someone to play like a lineman to set the edge, a safety to be able to drop back into coverage, and run like a sprinter to be able to chase down quarterbacks and ball carriers, he stood out from everyone else who has played the position at Alabama.

For example, Anderson made an immediate impact, landing on the SEC All-Freshman Team while starting 13 games for the national champions. He was credited with 52 tackles, 10.5 for loss and seven sacks. His ability to adapt and improve from that point only reinforced his "Terminator" nickname.

As a sophomore he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defender for the first of two times, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. The honors kept coming after his junior year, and in the 2023 NFL Draft he was the top non-quarterback selected, when the Houston Texans, who have former Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans as a head coach, traded up to land him at No. 3 overall.

The Best Alabama OLB/Edge Rushers of the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Recruiting

The top 5 outside linebacker/edge rusher prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide:

Keon Keeley, 2023
Dallas Turner, 2021
Dylan Moses, 2017
Chris Braswell, 2020
Jeremiah Alexander, 2022

The next five:

Ben Davis, 2016
Jihaad Campbell, 2022
Will Anderson Jr., 2020
Rashaan Evans, 2014
Yhonzae Pierre, 2023

Note; Qua Russaw's recruiting ratings were almost identical to Pierre's.

Nov 6, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a sack against the LSU Tigers during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. — © Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Key Statistics

The tricky thing about being an outside linebacker is one has to both set the edge against the run, and also try and get tackles for a loss and/or sacks. Being able to do both well is what made some players elite:

Total tackles (single season)

Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 102
Anfernee Jennings, 2019, 83
Eryk Anders, 2009, 66
Brandon Fanney, 2008, 66
Ezekial Knight, 2007, 64

Tackles for a loss

Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 34.5
Ryan Anderson, 2016, 19.0
Courtney Upshaw, 2011, 17.0
Will Anderson Jr., 2022, 17.0
Tim Williams, 2016, 16.0

Sacks

Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 17.5
Tim Williams, 2015, 10.5
Will Anderson Jr., 2022, 10.0
Xzavier Dickson, 2014, 9.0
Tim Williams, 2016, 9.0
Ryan Anderson, 2016, 9.0

Honors/Awards

Courtney Upshaw was named an All-American in 2011, but wasn't a consensus selection. The only consensus pick during the Nick Saban era has been Will Anderson Jr., a unanimous pick both in 2021 and 2022.

Other major honors that he landed include:

Chuck Bednarik Award (2022)
Lombardi Award (2022)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2021 and 2022)
Lott Trophy (2022)
SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022)

NFL Draft

Many of Alabama's outside linebackers have been drafted with teams aiming to play them at other positions, either defensive end or interior linebacker, but here are the top five: