December 11, 2022
By Paul Bartelt
IPA Sports Editor
Newport Beach, Ca. Alabama senior linebacker Will Anderson Jr. was named the winner of the 19th Annual Lott Impact Trophy Sunday evening, the second Crimson Tide football player to earn the award, following DeMarco Ryans in 2005. Anderson also earned the Bednarik Award, is the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2022 and received the Rotary Lombardi Award, along with being a unanimous First Team All-American. The Award, named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott, recognizes college footballs top defensive player who had the biggest impact on his team. Anderson led the SEC with tackles for losses (13) this season and is expected to be a top five pick in the NFL Draft. ” Will is a great competitor, he always gives 100 percent, ” said Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban. ” He sets an example for other guys on the team , he’s a really good leader.” It is not clear if Anderson will play against Kansas State on December 31st in the Sugar Bowl. This seasons Lott Award runner- ups included Felix Anudike-Uzomah of Kansas State, Tommy Eichenberg from Ohio State and Tuli Tuipuloto from Southern California. The Lott trophy is the only college football award that recognizes athletic performance and a players personal charcter atributes. Alabama will receive $25,000 for its general scholorship fund from the Pacific Club Impact Foundation. The Lott Award Foundation has donated over $1.6 million dollars to various charities. Anderson, an Academic Honor Roll and Deans List honoree, graduated from Alabama on Saturday.