Lane Kiffin gives Alabama linebacker Will Anderson a new nickname

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson built quite the fanbase this season. Ten games into his sophomore season, all the SEC coaches seem to have strong opinions on his talent and future upside. Among those to weigh in on Will Anderson’s dominance was Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who provided a new nickname to the versatile defender.

“He’s arguably the most dynamic player in all of college football,” Kiffin said Wednesday on the SEC teleconference. “I call him ‘the Predator.’ When we played them – just tearing up everything that he’s around like the movie. So he’s a major issue.”

When asked to expand on Will Anderson’s dominance over offensive linemen, Lane Kiffin provided a look at the versatility he saw.

“He’s wide and rushes like an edge rusher but then he comes inside and beats up guards and tackles on the inside too, which is just kind of crazy,” said Kiffin. “And his relentless effort.”

Anderson is a former four-star recruit out of Hampton, Georgia. He had a strong freshman season for Alabama in 2020 but has really came alive this season. Through the Tide’s 10 games this year, Anderson has racked up 67 total tackles, 23 tackles-for-loss, 12.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. His best game of 2021 so far came against LSU on Nov. 6, when Anderson made 12 tackles with 1.5 sacks.

Ed Orgeron on Will Anderson

During this week’s SEC football head coaches teleconference, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was asked about Anderson – a player he recruited and tried to get to come to Baton Rouge – and what makes him so special.

“Phenomenal football player,” Orgeron said. “I recruited him. He’s a great young man … speed, quickness, toughness and awareness. They change up stuff they do with him. Sometimes he’s going to crash and take the back, sometimes he’s up on the quarterback. He’s great at the point-of-attack. I think he’s a first-round pick.”

When Orgeron was asked during the teleconference if teams try to plan differently and change up their usual offensive gameplans before facing Alabama and Anderson, the Tigers’ head man said it’s easier said than done.

“You try to – but he beats them. The guy’s good,” Orgeron said. “You try to run the zone read to his side and he runs you down. You try to kick him out and he beats the block. The best thing to do in pass rush, in my opinion, and in pass protection, is to triple and double team him. The guy’s a force.”

He continued: “I’m so glad to see he’s playing well. Will was one of my favorite recruits I recruited.”