Everything Will Anderson Jr. Said at the NFL Combine

The former Alabama linebacker talked a little about everything from played with the Crimson Tide to his Terminator nickname.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. took his turn in the media room of the 2023 NFL combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday. 

Here's everything he said: 

Are you doing the field portion this week?

I plan on doing just about everything.

Some people may say you are slightly undersized. How do you respond to that?

It’s about what you have in here and that’s what has carried me to this point in my life. Always know that whatever I have going on, my mentality, my mindset, it’s not going to change. And that is what I approach during the week of practice, that’s what I approach in the game.

What did you learn about yourself at Alabama?

Being at Alabama made me very versatile. Dropping in coverage. All that type of stuff. Helping me work, pass rush moves and run. So when I dissect myself I see myself as a versatile player who can do just about anything but that’s thanks to Coach Saban you know. He trusted me a lot. He’s seen a lot in me. The potential. It helped me mold the player I am today so when I look back at myself I feel like Alabama made me a very versatile player.

Will I know you are constantly trying to take your game to the next level? What's an area you could improve in?

Just working in space. Working on my flexibility and mobility. This whole off season that’s one of the things I have been working on my mobility and flexibility.

Will, who’s the toughest player you’ve played against in college and why?

Bijan Robinson, the running back from Texas. He was a big back. We had to gang tackle him to get all hats to the ball. He was going to break a few tackles, we had to tackle him right away but he was probably the toughest person I played against in college.

One, two, three, or four, do you care where you go?

No sir

How much would it mean to be drafted number one overall by the Bears if that did happen?

It would mean a lot you know, just like I said all my hard work paying off. You know and just to have that spot it's big time and I’m really appreciative if I will have that opportunity.

How did your meeting with the Bears go?

It went really good. You know we went in there and watched a couple tapes. Really just got to know me and I got to know them. The culture is great there and I can tell they are onto something special.

Do you have a signature move?

For me, I like the forklift move. I like to watch Nick Bosa a lot. I like the way he likes to do his bull spike and stuff like that and I would like to implement that into my game.

You say you remain humble but how do you stay humble when you're talked about being a top three pick?

One lady, Tereon Anderson, my mom. She’s always going to keep me grounded.

How has having five sisters impacted or shaped you as a man?

All my sisters played sports. They played basketball, they ran track and played volleyball. I watched them. I watched how they worked. Watched their work ethic. I took the good, I left the bad. Just watching the way they work. They put a lot into me, they have made a lot of sacrifices for me. Ran up and down the road and gave me advice. Told me how things were going to go. So it’s been great. So that is how they molded me into the athlete that I am today.

How have your agents been in this process?

Nicole [Lynn] is my agent. She does a fantastic job. The team that I have. Jenna and Shakeema are doing a really good job preparing for marketing interviews. Any facts about the coaches, anything like that. Making sure we have our P’s and Q’s. Making sure we know our information before we go in.

What makes a great pass rusher?

What makes a great pass rusher and edge rusher is getting pressure on the quarterback and getting sacks. Get him to get off his spot, throw interceptions. Help other people make sacks. Get him to throw incomplete balls out of bounds. That’s what makes and efficient pass rusher. Just not getting sacks but affecting the quarterback in different ways.

Will you're nicknamed ‘The Terminator,’ is that something you hope sticks at the next level?

I hope so, but I got to earn it when I get there. 

See Also:

What Alabama Fans Need to Know About the 2023 NFL Combine

Anderson Jr., To'o To'o, Young and Dale Speak on Day 2 at the 2023 NFL Combine