Will Anderson Jr. of the Houston Texans is one of the most formidable defenders in recent league history. Hailing from the University of Alabama football team, he struck fear in the hearts of offensive linemen and blocking backs in the Southeastern Conference for years before taking his talents to the next level and winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award last season in the National Football League.
Now Anderson Jr. finds himself on a collision course with even more responsibility and challenges in his second season with the AFC South play-off contenders. Anderson Jr. got brutally honest about his Defensive Rookie of the Year journey and feelings after it was accomplished, and now his thoughts are swirling.
The Anderson Jr. files were revealed at a time when CJ Stroud shared a thrilling look at a vintage quarterback debate. The Texans’ riskiest move of the offseason was also revealed.
Anderson Jr. speaks out about a fantastic rookie season
Anderson Jr. had 29 solo tackles and seven sacks in his rookie season, enough to earn him the famed Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and enough to lead the Texans to an improbable winning season behind Coach DeMeco Ryans, quarterback CJ Stroud, wide receiver Nico Collins and the rest of an energetic young team from Houston.
When the smoke settled, Anderson Jr. became the player everyone thought he could be after leaving the college ranks, thanks to the tutelage of Nick Saban, the longtime coach of the Alabama football program.
Anderson said he “cringes” when he watches a tape of himself from his rookie season. He knows he can improve immensely from last season and has the tools and team to become a much better player.
“Yeah, when I go back I’m like, ‘Bro, what are you doing?! Why did you do that, what did you think?
“I’m like, buddy, I can’t watch this anymore,” he said.
“But really just working on my pass rush, man, holding half a man (drills), working on the edge, working on getting extensions at the top of my rush and just finishing on the quarterback with precision,” Anderson said Jr. , saying these are the improvements he’s considering making.
Texans offseason recap
The Texans signed Danielle Hunter from the Minnesota Vikings this season, a move that will make life even more difficult for opposing offensive linemen. Hunter had 16 sacks in the NFC North Division last season and was able to make Houston’s pass rush one of the best in the league.
Perhaps the most notable new signing by the Texans is Dalton Schultz, the tight end who has built a great bond with CJ Stroud for Coach DeMeco Ryans’ team.
Several notable defenders are on the list of Texans additions, including Desmond King, the veteran cornerback from Iowa who is talented but has struggled with injuries in recent years.
