Former Alabama Standout Hated Playing Tennessee But Respects One Big Aspect

Will Anderson Darnell Wright
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) rushes the quarterback against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN on Saturday, Oct 15, 2022. Photo by Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics.

Former Alabama standout Will Anderson Jr. played Tennessee inside Neyland Stadium twice during his three-year career in Tuscaloosa. Anderson recorded two tackles during Alabama’s 2020 victory but fell to Tennessee during his final game against the Vols in 2022.

Anderson’s high level of production earned him the third-overall draft pick by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft. While the former Alabama star waits for the Texans’ season to start in Houston, Anderson joined former NFL veteran Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast to discuss his time at Alabama and his short time in the NFL.

During the closing few minutes of the interview, Long asked Anderson a few rapid-fire questions about the SEC. Anderson admitted his dislike for Tennessee while also providing the Vols and the Tennessee fanbase with a big compliment.

“Toughest stadium to play in that people might not expect in the SEC?” Long asked.

“Tennessee,” Anderson replied.

“Yeah, okay,” Long said. “And then a team you low-key hated in the SEC?”

“Tennessee,” Anderson once again replied.

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Anderson didn’t need many words to admit that Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium was the toughest stadium to play in while confirming his dislike for the Vols.

Tennessee threw a massive obstacle in Alabama’s path to the playoffs during the 2022 season after defeating the Tide in Neyland Stadium for the first time in more than a decade. Anderson was part of two opponent field-storming scenarios last season with the first and biggest being the Vols’ home crowd in Knoxville.

Anderson finished the game against Tennessee with just three total tackles.

To see the full clip from the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, check out the video below.

About Green Light with Chris Long: “Former NFL’er Chris Long, his best friend Macon, and a cast of several, join forces to bring you an expert look at all things Pro Football & a novice look at everything else. Featuring interviews with the biggest names in sports & entertainment, occasional digressions into the absurd, and frequent lapses in judgment.

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2 Responses

  1. Those refs in Neyland Stadium were just flat out determined to help the Volunteers win that game against Bama. I know that comers across as sour grapes and I also understand it had been since 2006 since Tennessee won against Alabama but those pass interference calls that kept the UT offense on the field to get that winning field goal. I’m not sure the sec nor ncaa football officiating isn’t corrupt especially with all the gambling being legal now. No honest Tennessee fan can say that pass interference call was justified,

  2. So I guess having both arms wrapped around a TE before the ball arrives is okay? The same way your WR sold a PI against us, when he pulled down our DB. Guess it’s only okay for bama to do that.

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