26 Days ‘Til Alabama Football: Ryan Anderson puts an exclamation mark on his career

I initially was going to do an entire writeup on Ryan Anderson, one of the most criminally underrated players I think we’ve ever seen. Call it Alabama fatigue, but for whatever reason, Anderson never made the all-star teams deserved.

But his play will always speak for itself.

The super tough, super physical, and super engaging Anderson was one of the more balanced Jacks under Nick Saban and came in a bit lighter (6’2”, 251 pounds) than most at the position. Anderson has the ability to be an every-down player: He has the athleticism to play the pass (with some improved technique); he can drop into a stance to be an excellent run-stuffer, and he is an even better, more instinctual standup pass rusher.

His 26-yard pick-six against Jake Browning gave the Tide a 10-point halftime lead and effectively ended the Washington Huskies college football playoff run.

It was the first, and only, interception of his four-year career.

It was the first, and only, touchdown of his four-year career.

He made it count.

For his career, Anderson tallied 128 tackles (68 solo), 39.5 tackles for loss -- good for 6th all-time at Alabama, 6 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries (including two against Deshaun Watson in the 2017 CFP Championship game,) one big interception, and an even bigger touchdown.

On a likeable Alabama defense with many likeable players, I think he was my favorite.

26 days ‘til Alabama football.

Roll Tide.