Lives by “Built By “Bama” Will Anderson Jr.

The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year discussed his experiences playing in the NFL and what he learned from Coach Saban with SB Nation.

The expression “Built by Bama” goes beyond being a mere social media slogan; it represents a mindset and a code that every NFL player developed under the guidance of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban adheres to. Will Anderson Jr., recently crowned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, embodies this philosophy in his weekly performances in the NFL.

During an interview with SB Nation’s JP Acosta on Radio Row for Super Bowl LVIII, Anderson Jr. discussed the valuable lessons he learned from Nick Saban, the schematic variances between his playing style at Alabama and his role in Houston, and the friendly competition with Texans’ QB CJ Stroud. This coverage is presented by Jif in collaboration with Bounty, aiming to reduce food waste.

In his time at Alabama, Anderson Jr. often found himself on the inside shoulder of the tackle, adopting a 4i technique primarily focused on run defense before transitioning to pass rush. However, in Houston, his role shifted to the outside shoulder of the tackle, assuming a Wide 9 alignment.

Anderson Jr. highlighted the differences in leveraging and hand placement in Houston compared to his time at Alabama. His growth throughout the season exemplified the overall improvement of the Texans’ defense, which concluded the season ranking 15th in Defensive EPA per play in the NFL. Beyond the midpoint of the season, the Texans’ defense evolved into one of the league’s fastest and most aggressive units, with Anderson Jr. serving as a pivotal figure. His effective bullrush consistently disrupted opposing tackles, and he emphasized refining this technique from various angles and against different passing sets.

The interview shed light on Anderson Jr.’s commitment to honing his skills, incorporating stutter steps and speed to set up powerful moves—a lethal combination for any pass rusher. While he concluded the season with seven sacks, his outstanding performance significantly contributed to the transformation of the Texans’ defense into a formidable and youthful unit as the season progressed.