INDIANAPOLIS – Outside linebacker Will Anderson was a dominant pass rusher at the University of Alabama.
In 2022, he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the second year in a row, along with a host of other honors.
He finished his career with 34.5 sacks and 62 tackles for loss while racking up 64 QB pressures.
Now, Anderson is here at the NFL Combine, surrounded by the best players from college football, including a strong group of edge rushers.
He's among those being talked about as potentially the No.1 pick in April's NFL Draft.
"All these guys are great — very athletic, can pass rush," Anderson said of the class of edge rushers. "I'm super excited. All the work has been good. I feel like what I bring to the table — just consistency, being humble, whatever culture I'm in, I'm going to do things the right way. And I think that's what sets me apart."
Anderson said on Wednesday he's met with seven teams so far at the Combine.
He won't be around when the Titans pick at No. 11, so the only way he could land in Tennessee would be if the team moved up.
The Bears have the first overall pick, and they aren't expected to draft a quarterback. They presumably could be willing to trade the pick to a QB-needy team.
Anderson said it would mean a lot to go No.1.
"That just shows all your hard work has been paying off," Anderson said. "All the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears you've been doing to get up into this moment, it's super exciting, and it's a blessing. … I'll be really appreciative if I do have that opportunity."
Anderson promised to keep working to be the best.
"It's about what you have in here," Anderson said, pointing to his heart. "And that's what has carried me to this point in my life, always knowing that whatever I've got going on, my mentality, my mindset is not going to change."
