Will Anderson Jr.

William Dawson Anderson Jr. was born August 26, 2001, in Hampton, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. His upbringing shaped his early football development in one of the most competitive youth football regions in the country. His family's emphasis on discipline and hard work has been reflected throughout his career.

Anderson attended Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia, where he was a five-star recruit and top national defender. He signed with Alabama and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as a sophomore — one of the youngest winners in history — and later won it again as a junior, making him a two-time winner of the top defensive player award in college football. He finished as a unanimous All-American before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans selected Anderson third overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he immediately delivered elite production. He won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with seven sacks and helped transform the Texans' defense into one of the most productive in the AFC. His rookie-year performance alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud made the 2022 draft class look like one of the best in recent memory.

Anderson has continued to develop into one of the most productive young edge rushers in the NFL. His multi-year college production at Alabama and his immediate NFL success have placed him among the most accomplished young defensive players of his generation.

His career résumé includes Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl consideration, two Bronko Nagurski Trophies at Alabama, and status as the cornerstone of the Texans' defensive resurgence.

Off the field, Anderson has maintained close ties to his Georgia roots and his family. He has supported youth football initiatives in both the Atlanta area and Houston, and he maintains endorsement partnerships with Nike and other brands typical of a top-three NFL pick. His combination of college pedigree and NFL production has made him one of the faces of the Texans' organizational rebuild.