Tide's Anderson wins Nagurski Award as nation's top defensive player; Young named Heisman finalist

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson led the nation in sacks and tackles for loss in 2021. (Contributed)

By GRAHAM DUNN

After leading the Alabama defense in 2021, sophomore linebacker Will Anderson, Jr. led the nation in several defensive categories.

He did more than enough to earn his first national award on Monday.

Anderson was named the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player, becoming the second player from Alabama to earn the trophy.

The award is given annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Anderson won the award over finalists Jordan Davis of Georgia and Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon.

Anderson is the first to earn the award since Jonathan Allen won the award in 2016. The Crimson Tide has had nine finalists in a span of 11 years.

A native of Hampton, Ga., Anderson led the nation with 15.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss during the season.  He had 92 tackles this season.

Young headed to New York as Heisman finalist

Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young was named one of four finalists for the coveted Heisman Trophy Award, which will be given this Saturday in New York.

Young will be joined by Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

It will be the third time in the last four years a player from Alabama has been selected as a finalist. Last year, two players were finalists with wide receiver DeVonta Smith taking home the award.

To date, Young has 43 touchdown passes, which is tied for third most in school history with Tua Tagovailoa. He is second in the country in TD passes and sixth in yards per game (332.5). He is fifth in passing efficiency (175.5).

Should Young win, he would be the fourth player in Bama football history to win the award, all under coach Nick Saban. The previous winners are Smith last year, Derrick Henry (2015) and Mark Ingram (2009).

Young would be the first Alabama quarterback to win the award. He is the 11th finalist from Alabama and fifth quarterback following Jay Barker (1994), AJ McCarron (2013), Tua Tagovailoa (2018) and Mac Jones (2019).

On Thursday, Young could take home the Davey O’Brien Award and the Walter Camp Award.