5x5: The Best Alabama OLB/Edge Rushers During the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

If there was a want-ad listing for the Jack linebacker position in Nick Saban's defensive scheme with the Alabama Crimson Tide, it wouldn't land many responses. 

The "wanted" part of it would include things like having good size and height but not bulky, great first step, outstanding closing speed, ideal athleticism and durability, long arms and great length, terrific footwork, powerful build, great body control and a relentless nature that can serve as a model for the kind of horror movie franchise in which the villain seemingly can't stop.

The description could be summed up with one word, "freak." It could also then include a photograph of Will Anderson Jr. 

When Anderson goes into the College Football Hall of Fame someday, and rest assured it's a much bigger question of when instead of if, he'll be known as the second-best pass-rusher in Crimson Tide history, behind only Derrick Thomas, who might have been the greatest in all of football. 

Although playing Saban's Jack linebacker spot is especially tricky because the position requires someone to play like a lineman to set the edge, a safety to be able to drop back into coverage, and run like a sprinter to be able to chase down quarterbacks and ball carriers, he stood out from everyone else who has played the position at Alabama. 

For example, Anderson made an immediate impact, landing on the SEC All-Freshman Team while starting 13 games for the national champions. He was credited with 52 tackles, 10.5 for loss and seven sacks. His ability to adapt and improve from that point only reinforced his "Terminator" nickname. 

As a sophomore he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defender for the first of two times, was  named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. The honors kept coming after his junior year, and in the 2023 NFL Draft he was the top non-quarterback selected, when the Houston Texans, who have former Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans as a head coach, traded up to land him at No. 3 overall. 

The Best Alabama OLB/Edge Rushers of the Nick Saban Era

Five different ways to rate the top players at each position for the Crimson Tide during the greatest dynasty in college football history.

Recruiting

The top 5 outside linebacker/edge rusher prospects when signing with the Crimson Tide:

1. Keon Keeley, 2023
2. Dallas Turner, 2021
3. Dylan Moses, 2017
4. Chris Braswell, 2020
5. Jeremiah Alexander, 2022

The next five:

Ben Davis, 2016
Jihaad Campbell, 2022
Will Anderson Jr., 2020
Rashaan Evans, 2014
Yhonzae Pierre, 2023

Note; Qua Russaw's recruiting ratings were almost identical to Pierre's. 

© Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Key Statistics

The tricky thing about being an outside linebacker is one has to both set the edge against the run, and also try and get tackles for a loss and/or sacks. Being able to do both well is what made some players elite:

Total tackles (single season)

1. Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 102
2. Anfernee Jennings, 2019, 83
3. Eryk Anders, 2009, 66
4. Brandon Fanney, 2008, 66
5. Ezekial Knight, 2007, 64

Tackles for a loss 

1. Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 34.5
2. Ryan Anderson, 2016, 19.0
3. Courtney Upshaw, 2011, 17.0
4. Will Anderson Jr., 2022, 17.0
5. Tim Williams, 2016, 16.0

Sacks 

1. Will Anderson Jr., 2021, 17.5 
2. Tim Williams, 2015, 10.5
3. Will Anderson Jr., 2022, 10.0
4. Xzavier Dickson, 2014, 9.0
5. Tim Williams, 2016, 9.0
6. Ryan Anderson, 2016, 9.0

T.G. Paschal/BamaCentral

Honors/Awards

Courtney Upshaw was named an All-American in 2011, but wasn't a consensus selection. The only consensus pick during the Nick Saban era has been Will Anderson Jr., a unanimous pick both in 2021 and 2022. 

Other major honors that he landed include:

Chuck Bednarik Award (2022)
Lombardi Award (2022)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2021 and 2022)
Lott Trophy (2022)
SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022)

NFL Draft

Many of Alabama's outside linebackers have been drafted with teams aiming to play them at other positions, either defensive end or interior linebacker, but here are the top five:

1. Will Anderson Jr., 2023, Houston Texans, first round, third overall
2. Courtney Upshaw, 2012, Baltimore Ravens, second round
3. Ryan Anderson, 2017, Washington Redskins, second round
4. Tim Williams, 2017, Baltimore Ravens, third round
5. Terrell Lewis, 2020, Los Angeles Rams, third round

Note: Anfernee Jennings was also a third-round selection, in 2020 by the New England Patriots

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Overall

1. Ryan Anderson Jr. 
2. Courtney Upshaw
3. Ryan Anderson 
4. Anfernee Jennings
5. Dallas Turner 

We're buying that Turner could be a first- or second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

This is the 13th story in the 5x5 series, which will continue throughout July. Check out:

Offense

Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Centers
Tackles
Guards

Defense

Defensive ends
Defensive tackles
Interior linebackers
Safeties
Cornerbacks

Special Teams