In three seasons at Alabama, linebacker Will Anderson Jr. earned the nickname “Terminator” because of his affinity for pulverizing opposing quarterbacks. In 41 games for the Crimson Tide, Anderson piled up 34.5 sacks and 58.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. In college, Anderson was the type of player who felt disrespected the moment his opponent stepped on the field, and he made them pay for it.
Poised to be a high pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night – and indeed, the Texans traded up to No. 3 overall to select him – Anderson dressed to impress. Not only did the 6-foot-4 former Heisman Trophy finalist look sharp in a blue pinstriped suit, but he paired it with a Terminator chain.
Hanging from the silver necklace around Anderson’s neck was a piece split in half. On the right was Anderson’s last name, and on the left was the face of a T-Unit robot from the Terminator films starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Terminator chain for Will Anderson Jr. 🤖🥶 @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/EfHmeTM4gt
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 28, 2023
Will Anderson Jr is nicknamed The Terminator because he told opposing QBs “I’ll Be Back” every time he hit them. Followed an EYE POPPING 34.5 TFL-17 sack sophomore season with a 17 TFL-10 sack Junior season and is the only 2x unanimous All-American in Alabama history and a BEAST.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 28, 2023
Anderson won back-to-back Bronko Nagurski trophies in his final two seasons at Alabama. The award is given to the best defensive player in college football, and Anderson was the first to win two in a row. The native of Hampton, Georgia was also the back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was the first to win the award twice since Georgia’s David Pollack.
The NFL Draft doesn’t have a best-dressed award, but if it did, Anderson would certainly be a contender.
The Texans made a trade with the Cardinals to take Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 pick.
Find out how Anderson earned the nickname, "The Terminator". pic.twitter.com/Le3rirjtn7
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) April 28, 2023
In Houston, Anderson will play for another great Alabama linebacker in DeMeco Ryans, who was hired as head coach this offseason.
