Alabama Football: Will Anderson is being disrespected

Alabama football’s Will Anderson deserves more respect

At this point in the season, it should be agreed upon that Will Anderson is the best player in college football. The Alabama football outside linebacker leads the country in sacks and tackles for loss, and he’s a nightmare off the edge. He provides versatility to the defense by stepping back in coverage, but his first step off of the line is elite.

Still, he is being disrespected by the overall college football community. The finalists for the Walter Camp National Player of the Year were released, and he was not on the list. Anderson was a semifinalist, but he did not make the final five.

This award goes out to the best player in the country every year. It is voted on by coaches and sports information directors. The list included two other defensive players, but Anderson was still snubbed from the list.

Some awards have odd stipulations that could keep a deserving player off of a list. They may only go to upperclassmen or put a higher emphasis on academic achievement. This award has no contingencies. Everyone is eligible, and they simply discounted Anderson’s impact.

Alabama football had two finalists last year. Mac Jones lost out on the award to his teammate DeVonta Smith. This year, Bryce Young is a finalist, but his teammate is not.

Anderson will be the first say that personal awards don’t matter. Still, he deserves more respect. With this coming out before the Heisman finalists are released, it seems a given that he will be snubbed from that list as well.

Anderson is a game-breaking talent. He can take over games with his ability to rush the passer. His stats are elite, and his impact on Alabama football’s defense is crucial.

He will have another reason to be motivated this weekend. We’ll see if he can put up another elite performance to prove the voters wrong.