Sophomore linebacker Will Anderson has been named the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week following Alabama's 49-9 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 16, he was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. It's the first time since 2018 that an Alabama player has claimed the Bronko Nagurski weekly honor. Anderson registered six total tackles, four sacks and a pass breakup. He became the first Alabama player since Derrick Thomas in 1988 to record four sacks in a game.

"We did that," said Anderson. "We watched film together. We saw how we could affect the quarterback. We saw how we could get back there and we were all on the same page and we all gelled."

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Anderson had challenged his teammates following their loss to Texas A&M to make the team the most important thing and the Georgia native responded by leading by example. Through seven games Anderson leads the SEC in sacks with seven and the entire country in tackles for loss with 15 and has tallied 45 total tackles. Bryce Young spoke on Monday about the leadership role Anderson has taken this year.

"He's definitely made that more of a point," said Young. "He's definitely grown a lot as far as him stepping up and taking on that role as a leader. He's been very vocal throughout the year and especially recently, been very vocal. Everyone knows the work he puts in, everyone respects him, so when it's someone like Will who talks and leads how he does, it's easy for all of us to rally behind what he's saying. He's been very big for us, obviously on the field with how well he's been playing but being a leader for us, as well."

Anderson was also named to the Associated Press midseason All-American team on Tuesday.

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