.png) Anderson Jr. at the 2023NFL Combine | |||||||||||||||
| No. 51 – Houston Texans | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Defensive end | ||||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (2001-09-02)September 2, 2001 (age 24) Hampton, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 243 lb (110 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Dutchtown (Hampton) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Alabama (2020–2022) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2023: 1st round, 3rd overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2025 | |||||||||||||||
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William Anderson Jr. (born September 2, 2001) is an American professionalfootballdefensive end for theHouston Texans of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theAlabama Crimson Tide, where he won several awards, such as theBronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama'snational championship in 2020.
Anderson was selected by the Texans third overall in the2023 NFL draft, who traded up to get him after selectingOhio State quarterbackC. J. Stroud with the previous pick. He wonNFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Anderson was born on September 2, 2001, inHampton, Georgia.[1] He attendedDutchtown High School, where he recorded 22 sacks with 15 tackles for loss as a senior in 2019. Anderson was named toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Super 11" team and played in the 2020All-American Bowl.[2][3][4] Anderson committed to playcollege football for theAlabama Crimson Tide.[5][6]
Anderson was named a starter at outside linebacker as a freshman in 2020.[7][8][9] He was named second-teamAll-Southeastern Conference (SEC) after finishing with sevenquarterback sacks and 10.5tackles for loss as the Crimson Tide won the2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.[10] As a sophomore in 2021, Anderson won theBronko Nagurski Trophy, was named theSEC Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted aunanimous All-American after recording 17.5 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss, both of which led the nation.[11][12][13][14][15] He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.[16]
On November 17, 2022, Anderson recorded a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown againstLouisiana-Monroe.[17] In the 2022 season, Anderson had 51 total tackles (24 solo), ten sacks, and one interception in 13 games.[18] His ten sacks led the SEC for the 2022 season.[19] He won theBronko Nagurski Award,Chuck Bednarik Award,Lott Impact Trophy, and theLombardi Award,[20][21][22][23] in addition to being named a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.[13][24]
| Season | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF | ||
| 2020 | 13 | 33 | 18 | 52 | 10.5 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 15 | 58 | 45 | 101 | 31 | 17.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 24 | 27 | 51 | 17 | 10.0 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 41 | 115 | 90 | 204 | 58.5 | 34.5 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft3+1⁄2 in (1.92 m) | 253 lb (115 kg) | 33+7⁄8 in (0.86 m) | 9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m) | 4.60 s | 1.61 s | 2.64 s | ||||||
| All values from theNFL Combine[25][26] | ||||||||||||
Anderson was selected third overall by theHouston Texans in the2023 NFL draft, in which, they traded with theArizona Cardinals from the 12th overall pick that they acquired from theCleveland Browns in theDeshaun Watsontrade to move up to third overall.[27][28] On June 23, 2023, Anderson signed a four-year deal worth $35.2 million featuring a $22.6 million signing bonus.[29] In his NFL debut against the Ravens in week 1, Anderson recorded one sack and six total tackles.[30] In week 13, against the Broncos, he recorded his first multi-sack game with two.[31] As a rookie, he started in 13 games and appeared in 15. He finished with seven sacks, 45 total tackles (29 solo), and one pass defended.[32] He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.[33] He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.[34]
Anderson was named to the2023 Pro Bowl following an injury toAmerican Football Conference starterMaxx Crosby.[35]
In his postseason debut, Anderson had a sack in the 45–14 victory over the Browns in the Wild Card Round.[36]
In week 6 of the 2024 season, Anderson recorded three sacks, eight tackles and four tackles for loss in a 41–21 win over the New England Patriots, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[37]
Anderson is aChristian.[38] Anderson is the son of Will Anderson Sr. and Tereon Anderson. He has five older sisters.[39]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | TD | PD | ||
| 2023 | HOU | 15 | 13 | 45 | 29 | 16 | 7.0 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| 2024 | HOU | 14 | 14 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 11.0 | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 2025 | HOU | 10 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 10.0 | 12 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Career | 39 | 37 | 112 | 76 | 36 | 26.0 | 38 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | TD | PD | ||
| 2023 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1.0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | HOU | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 3.5 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Career | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 4.5 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
