Football Places Four on AFCA All-America Teams, Anderson Jr. Named Unanimous All-American
12/14/2022 10:24:00 AM | Football
Anderson Jr. became a unanimous All-American with his first-team selection while Battle, McKinstry and Byron Young were tabbed to the organization’s second team
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. became a 2022 unanimous All-American with his first-team selection on the AFCA's list. The organization also named Jordan Battle, Kool-Aid McKinstry and Byron Young as second-teamers on Wednesday.
Anderson Jr. becomes the first Alabama player to earn unanimous honors twice during his career. The standout linebacker's unanimous selection is also the 26th since head coach Nick Saban's arrival in 2007. Anderson Jr. is the 41st two-time unanimous All-American in NCAA history and just the 13th defensive player. He is the first defender to earn consecutive unanimous All-America nods since Eric Berry (2007-08).
Since the establishment of All-America teams in 1892, Alabama has had 144 players earn 180 first-team honors, 41 of which were unanimous selections. The 41 are the most by any program in college football history with Saban's 26 in Tuscaloosa alone topping the historical totals of all but five programs.
First Team All-American
Will Anderson Jr., Linebacker
- Enters bowl season ranked sixth nationally in sacks and seventh in tackles for loss while leading the SEC in both categories
- Paces Alabama in tackles for loss, sacks and quarterback hurries during his junior season
- Recorded 51 total tackles, including 17 for loss (-72 yards) and 10 sacks (-54 yards)
- Also contributed 12 quarterback hurries to go with one pass breakup, a blocked field goal and a 25-yard pick-six
Second Team All-Americans
Jordan Battle, Safety
- Named a second-teamer for a second time with his selection, also earning the honors from The Sporting News
- Tabbed to the Associated Press' third team in 2022
- Picked up first team All-SEC honors from the league coaches and was a second-team honoree on the AP's list
- Named a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy
- Recorded 62 tackles on the year to go with two pass breakups
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback
- Recognized for his play at corner to pick up the second-team recognition
- Also named a second team All-American at corner by the The Sporting News and CBS Sports while garnering third-team accolades from the AP
- Named to the FWAA's second team as a punt returner
- Selected as a first team All-SEC honoree from both the AP and the league coaches
- A standout defender at corner who led UA in pass breakups (12)
- Also excelled as a punt returner, ranking second nationally in both return yards (317) and return average (15.8 ypr)
Byron Young, Defensive Lineman
- Became the sixth Alabama player to earn All-America recognition from one of the five major outlets
- Started all 12 games along the defensive line, totaling 46 tackles
- Posted 5.5 tackles for loss (-19 yards) and four sacks (-16 yards) to go with six quarterback pressures
- Also broke up two passes and forced a fumble during his senior campaign
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaFTBL on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaFBL on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
