This is the first installment of a weekly series focusing on the rising seniors that have verbally committed to the Crimson Tide. – Editor.
The mark of a championship program is the ability to bring in top recruits year in and year out. Alabama coach Nick Saban and his stellar staff have brought the recruiting process to a level never before witnessed at the Capstone. Coach Saban’s blueprint for evaluating talent is second to none; he looks not only at talent, he recruits kids with high character, a good work ethic, a certain level of maturity and a great attitude, in terms of willingness to learn and to become be the best people they can be.
This year’s defense it’s a sight to behold. One of the most devastating defenders in the country is Senior LB Courtney Upshaw. Even Tide fans find themselves in awe of his ability to chase down tailbacks and quarterbacks after dismantling some huge lineman trying to block him.
Upshaw is projected as a first round draft pick, and the question becomes how we replace him. The Tide is loaded with talent just waiting for their chance, but none really fits the mold of Upshaw relative to his size and ability. The Tide has very capable backups, but Upshaw looks as though he was created specifically for coach Saban’s scheme, he’s truly a rare talent.
Enter Ryan Anderson, a talented 6′ 3″, 250 pound LB prospect from Daphne, Alabama. Anderson was offered a scholarship by the Tide staff in late March, and not a month later made up his mind to attend UA. He chose Alabama over the likes of Auburn, FSU and Tennessee among others. Ryan is listed as a three-star prospect by most recruiting sites, but is far more advanced than a three-star talent.
Anderson was a bit of a late bloomer, playing behind lots of senior leadership for Daphne. Ryan is a big, physical guy with great instincts for finding the ball and getting to the quarterback. Ryan played at defensive end last year to fill the needs of the team more than because it was the best fit for him. As a result of playing a position that didn’t allow him to showcase his talents, his rating with the scouting services suffered. Thankfully, Coach Saban saw an elite prospect in Ryan.
Rarely can a player come in and start immediately in Saban’s complicated 3-4 defense, but with the loss of so much talent looming, he could make an immediate impact.
Before the season began, the Daphne coaches decided to put Anderson at linebacker, his future position with the Crimson Tide. With Ryan not being limited based on what opposing offenses run, and having the freedom to roam and make plays, Anderson has exploded into his senior season. He already has twleve sacks, and over fifty tackles thus far, and seems to be getting better every game.
What stands out most to me about this talented young man is his relentless, competitive nature. Coach Saban often speaks of being a relentless competitor, and this young man defines it. His only goal when he steps on the field is to dominate the guy in front of him. He wants the other guy to not only lose, but to hope they never have to play him again. Ryan Anderson is as close to a Courtney Upshaw clone as I’ve seen in a long time. He plays with a mean streak, and has become a nightmare for opposing coaches and quarterbacks.
Will Ryan Anderson be the next All-American linebacker at Alabama? Only time will tell but one thing’s for sure, the future of the Crimson Tide defense is is good hands.