Tennessee football: Five key Alabama players to watch for against Vols
Junior. Will Anderson Jr.. player. 829. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. 1
6’4″ 243 pounds
Related Story. Five Vols to watch for vs. Alabama. light
Alabama has a dominant pass rush all the way around, but obviously, Will Anderson Jr. is the superstar edge rusher. He’s the best player on the team, and if another defensive player wins the Heisman the way Charles Woodson did over Peyton Manning, Anderson will be that guy.
So far this year, Anderson has five sacks, 10 tackles for a loss and 29 tackles, 13 of which were solo. Even more notable, he has a pick-six. The guy has done it all through six games, and he is probably destined to wreak even more havoc now in the second half of the season. Tennessee football had better beware.
What’s so dangerous about Anderson is that he can line up on either side, and the Vols do have some questions at left tackle, as Gerald Mincey was out last week. Given the way they use the run game and Hendon Hooker’s mobility, the Vols need to do everything they can to avoid Anderson. Otherwise, this game will be over fast.
Next. Tennessee-Alabama: 10 keys to the game. dark
Last year, Anderson had two sacks against Tennessee football. However, Hooker’s pocket presence wasn’t what it is now. The level of Hooker’s improvement in that area will be on display Saturday specifically with Anderson, and containing him is the only way the Vols can get their passing game going.