Perhaps nobody was impacted by the headline from Dec. 16 more than Will Howard.

There would be no opt-out for Alabama linebacker Will Anderson. He’ll be in the Superdome on Dec. 31 and that couldn’t be the best news for Howard, the Kansas State quarterback.

The Sugar Bowl will likely be the last time Anderson takes the field for the Crimson Tide and a few of his Wildcat opponents explained what they see on tape from the national defensive player of the year.

“I think he’s really fast,” Howard said. “He has a really good get off. He’s very twitchy and he’s big. He’s massive and super long. Yeah, he’s definitely a freak athlete and he’s a smart football player too. Then they have (Dallas Turner) on the other side to balance him out. I think he’s a really good player too.

“They have a really good front but I believe in my O-line and I think they’ll be up for the challenge. I’m excited to see them take on these guys because it’s going to be a challenge. But I believe in them and I think our O-line is one of the best units in the country and I think they’re going to do really good things.”

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Kansas State has allowed 19 sacks in its 13 games, the 39th fewest in the nation. The Crimson Tide defense is 14th in sacks recorded with 36 led by Anderson’s 10.

Anderson’s 17 tackles for loss also lead the team as a factor in the running game as well.

That’s where Deuce Vaughn factors in. The running back listed at 5-foot-6, 176 pounds stands in complete contrast to the 6-4, 243-pound Anderson but he lit up when asked about facing the junior outside linebacker.

“Hey, I’ll tell you right now, Will Anderson is someone that whenever you turn on the film, he does something where you kinda have to rewind it a couple of times and be like ‘Oh, wow,’” Vaughn said. “He’s a really good football player and I’m super excited for this opportunity to play against him. He’s a heck of a football player and a smart football player. I feel like that’s not something he gets a lot of credit for. He’s a really smart football player on the defensive side of the ball so I’m super excited for this opportunity.”

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Cooper Bebee was the lone Kansas State offensive lineman who met with reporters Thursday. The starting left guard also touched on Anderson’s intelligence.

“I see a lot of similarities in Felix (Anudike-Uzomah),” Beebe said. “He’s a tremendous athlete. Very fast, physical guy. He’s a very smart player too. I think that’s something that really helps him. He’s a tremendously smart player, knows where to be at the right time and has a tremendous set of moves. He’s one of the best players in college football so it will be exciting to go against him this week.”

Anudike-Uzomah leads the Wildcats with 11.0 tackles for loss — 8.5 of which were sacks. The junior defensive end has forced eight fumbles in the last two seasons and had a three-sack game in a 37-28 win over Texas Tech earlier this season.

Alabama and Kansas State kick off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.