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Will Anderson Jr., a defensive end for the Houston Texans, was named the 2023 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

During the NFL Honors program in Las Vegas on Thursday night, the former Alabama All-American was given the trophy.

In a close vote among 50 media members, Anderson prevailed.

Anderson received 151 points from 16 first-place votes, 21 second-place votes, and 8 third-place votes (one point for first place, three points for second, and five points for third).

Jalen Carter, a defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles, came in second place with 122 points, including 14 first-place, 14 second-place, and 10 third-place votes.

With 95 points, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner placed third. He received 14 votes for first place, 6 for second place, and 7 for third place.

Brian Branch, a defensive back with the Detroit Lions, tied for fifth place in the voting. Third-place votes went to the former Alabama standout in sixth place. He was tied with Joey Porter Jr., a corneback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and YaYa Diaby, an outside linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One vote for first place and one vote for third place went to each of the players.

Following his April 27 acquisition by Houston as the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, Anderson finished the regular season with 45 tackles, seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits in 15 games.

Anderson’s seven extra wins in 2023 over 2022 helped the Texans win the AFC South.