Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was named the “baddest guy” that Jalen Milroe played with on the stacked Alabama Crimson Tide rosters.
Jalen Milroe Has High Praise for Former Teammate Will Anderson Jr.
Alabama has had a plethora of talent throughout its history as one of the best programs in college football. Milroe is another, and he spoke on Pro Football Talk about the baddest guy he saw play during his time at Bama.
“Baddest guy? It’s hard to narrow it down (to) one … Someone that challenged everyone to be better each and every day, Will Anderson Jr.,” Milroe said.
➖On Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio asks #Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (@JalenMilroe) who’s the baddest guy he’s seen while playing at Bama ?
🗣️ “Baddest guy? It’s hard to narrow it down 1.. Someone that challenged everyone to be better each and every day, [#Texans DE] Will Anderson.… pic.twitter.com/DoFQ6qNrtg
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) February 16, 2025
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans traded up to get Anderson as the No. 3 pick, and it has turned out to be a brilliant decision for the franchise. During the 2024 regular season, he registered 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and 37 total tackles as part of a defensive line that has very quickly become one of the best in the NFL.
Milroe had yet to become the starting quarterback before Anderson declared, but he clearly got to witness how great the edge rusher could be.
“He was a great leader,” Milroe said. “Someone who was a captain for us. Someone that played early on, so he understood the standard of excellence that it took to be the best version of himself. And so, the success that he’s getting with his time in the league now, it’s no surprise to me.”
This is big praise for Anderson, as Milroe has seen some incredibly talented players during his four years in Alabama.
How Does Will Anderson Jr. Compare to Jalen Milroe’s Other Superstar Teammates?
Just looking at the 2024 NFL Draft alone, it is full of Alabama alumni who have had huge impacts already in the league. Tackle JC Latham went to the Tennessee Titans, fellow edge rusher Dallas Turner fell to the Minnesota Vikings after a 10-sack season, and Terrion Arnold rounds out those in the first round as the defensive back joined the Detroit Lions.
Kool-Aid McKinstry was another DB taken just in the second round as a steal of a selection for the New Orleans Saints.
Anderson was taken third in 2023 behind quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers, who has had his fair share of ups and downs in his early NFL career. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has two Pro Bowl selections to his name and is already one of the elite running backs in the league.
In Milroe’s freshman year, he watched on as current Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for over 1,300 yards, with wide receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie III both going over 1,100 yards.
All three would go in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, along with offensive lineman Evan Neal being taken with the No. 7 pick.
The dual-threat quarterback has found himself with another future superstar on the Alabama roster, with freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams being an absolute stud in his first season with the Tide. Williams went for 865 receiving yards and caught eight touchdowns.
Despite only one season as teammates, current Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs led Alabama with 107 tackles in 2023 before transferring and winning the national title.
It is an interesting draft for Milroe, with him having a wild projection after throwing for 2,844 yards last season while also rushing for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns. His touchdown-to-interception ratio of 16:11 is not brilliant, but this draft class is not deep outside of Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.
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With those two expected to go in the top five picks, it leaves Milroe and others in a weird position where he could go later in the first round but could also drop into the second or even third rounds.
The praise toward Anderson is huge, considering the amount of star talent that Milroe has played with. It is hard to look past the 17.5-sack season in 2021 and the 10-sack season in 2022. He is tormenting offensive lines in the NFL, and Milroe will be hoping to be just as impactful when he hears his name in late April.
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