Drew Anderson, QB, Murray State: 2019 NFL Draft

Before MSU

• Played one season at Buffalo where he set the school’s single game record for passing yards and touchdowns against Western Michigan with seven scores on 597 yards, all without throwing an interception
• Was an Academic All-MAC selection at Buffalo
• Played two seasons at Diablo valley College

High School

• Prepped at Miramonte High School
• Was a first-team All-State selection for the Matadors and was the Bay Area Athlete of the Year

Personal

• Born Drew Anderson on October 18, 1995 in Oakland, California
• Son of Carolyn and Drew Anderson
• Has one brother, Ryan, and a sister, Brittany
• Currently pursuing master’s in human development and leadership

Anderson played all the typical organized sports growing up in the Bay Area in California, except football. He did not engage in it until high school and remained relatively under the radar leaving Miramonte High School.

A strong desire and self-belief in his abilities had him turn down D2 and D3 offers and become a walk-on at San Diego State. He spent one year with the Aztecs before playing a few years at the JUCO level at Diablo Valley College. Anderson credits those two seasons as very instrumental in his overall develop to pursuing his dream to play Division 1 football.

His JUCO play warranted several looks from D1 schools and he arrived in the MAC to play for Buffalo. Anderson spent two years in Buffalo and appeared in five games, one in which he would go on to set a single-game record for passing yards (597) and touchdowns (seven) against a pretty good team in Western Michigan. In his short stint with the Bulls he would also an Academic All-MAC selection.

His final collegiate act was transferring to Murray State to end his college career as a Racer. In one season at Murray State, Anderson earned All-Conference second team honors and played a key role in the ‘Miracle at Murray State’ after trailing the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State by 31, the Racers rallied to win 40-38.

That is a pretty unique resume to glance over before getting the mechanics of his game. Anderson has a durable NFL frame for quarterback and can make all the big throws necessary. He displays nimble feet in the pocket along and an above average release. Will deliver in the face of oncoming rushers. Self-determined leader and digests new systems quickly. He remains raw in some areas and will need to improve accuracy and quicker reads under duress in the pocket. Anderson has continued to improve along every stop during his collegiate career.
Does that make him a top tier quarterback?

No, it does not, but is does introduce the notion that he has fast tracked his game in a short amount of time. Imagine if he would have played his entire career at Murray State. Surely the accolades and accomplishments would have likely exceeded the still outstanding deeds he achieved thus far.

Anderson made big strides as a senior and has a chance to make a practice squad and could develop into a solid No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback in the National Football League.