Eryk Anders - #32 - LB - 6-2 - 225 lbs - San Antonio, TX - Smithson Valley HS - 1 Varsity Letter
There are times that signing a guy very late in the recruiting process really pans out. Wallace Gilberry is a prime example of that, with Wallace not inking to play with Bama until the summer of 2003. Eryk Anders followed 2 years later, with his signing coming completely out of nowhere months after signing day. At the moment, that is where the similarities end.
That is not to say that there is no hope for Eryk. Wallace Gilberry’s Junior season gave no indication of the dominating force he would become during his Senior year. There had been flashes earlier for Wallace, and as of now, Eryk has not demonstrated those flashes.
He also hasn’t had the opportunity. And that is something that could change in 2008 with the linebacker position being wide open for the Tide.
2008 Prospectus: Right now Eryk is one of 5 Bama scholarship players at the SAM linebacker position. If things go as I expect, and Cory Reamer, is moved to the WILL, then Eryk will battle Sophomore Chavis Williams and incoming Freshman Jerrell Harris for playing time – Zeke Knight is still technically on the team, but unfortunately I do not think that will be the case much longer (Hope I’m wrong here).
The sexy pick for the starter at SAM among fans is Harris. He’s coming in highly touted, and the SAM linebacker is likely the easiest of the LB positions to pick up in Nick Saban’s defense. Williams got some time there last year, spelling Knight, which gives him a leg up on the competition.
Meanwhile, Anders is simply plodding along, gaining weight and learning the system. When push comes to shove, though, he just doesn’t have the overall athletic gifts of Williams & Harris. He provides upperclassmen depth at a position where there is none, and that is a nice commodity to have.
Regardless, he was a big contributor on special teams in 2007, being named Special Teams Co-Player of the week by the coaching staff for the Mississippi State games. He will continue to bring quality play to the kick and punt coverage teams, as well as the punt block team.
