Texans EDGE Will Anderson Jr was named the Associated Press 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Thursday night at the NFL Honors show.

Anderson, 22, was a three-year starter at Alabama and finished a decorated career with two Bronko Nagurski awards given to college football’s best defensive player, two SEC DPOY awards and two consensus All-American selections. 

The Texans traded up to No. 3 overall in the 2023 NFL draft. 

Anderson signed a four-year, $35,212,827 contract with the Texans that included a $22,609,328 signing bonus. Houston will have a fifth-year option to pick up on Anderson in 2026.

In 2023, Anderson appeared in 15 games for the Texans and recorded 45 tackles, seven sacks and a pass defense.

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