Many football evaluators have Alabama linebacker and edge rusher Will Anderson as the top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Anderson had 34.5 sacks over three seasons with the Crimson Tide, led by a 17.5-sack campaign in 2021. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy — awarded to the best defensive player in college football — in 2021 and 2022.
So, Anderson knows a thing or two about great play in the trenches. And that makes his comments about one NFL Draft prospect really stand out.
During the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday in Indianapolis, Anderson told the media that Tennessee’s Darnell Wright was the best offensive tackle he faced in college football, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com.
Lazar tweets that Anderson “mentioned how much better Wright got year-to-year” and “pointed to [Wright’s] ability to mirror rushers and anchor at his size.”
Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, a likely top-five pick, says that Tennessee’s Darnell Wright is the best OT he faced in college. Anderson mentioned how much better Wright got year-to-year. Pointed to his ability to mirror rushers and anchor at his size.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 1, 2023
As Lazar notes, Wright — listed at 6’6″, 335 pounds at Tennessee — had a very impressive performance against Anderson in 2022 (a 52-49 Volunteers victory in October).
Wright had a great game against Anderson last season. So I’m not surprised that he gave kudos to him. https://t.co/2spB7VrS5j
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 1, 2023
Wright is currently No. 23 overall — fourth among offensive linemen (and offensive tackles) — on Daniel Jeremiah’s draft prospect rankings on NFL.com.
So, Wright was already viewed as a potential first-round pick, and Anderson’s comments may lead to NFL organizations giving the offensive tackle even more attention in the coming weeks.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.