Alabama’s Anderson repeats as Bronko Nagurski award winner

By The Associated Press

FILE - Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) jogs off the field after a 34-0 win over Austin Peay at an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Anderson was named the Defensive player of the year on the All-SEC team announced Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Vasha Hunt]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. became the second two-time winner of the Bronko Nagurski award, given to the nation’s top collegiate defensive player. Anderson was presented the award on Monday night by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound Anderson had 10 sacks for the Crimson Tide this season. Anderson won the award last year after recording 17.5 sacks. Anderson, a junior, had two sacks in Alabama’s regular-season win finale against rival Auburn and had his first touchdown when he returned an interception 25 yards against Louisiana-Monroe. He joins former Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald as the only two-time winner of the award. Fitzgerald won the award in 1995 and 1996.