Re: They definitely like Bruce Anderson

A track and football star in Newsome, Florida, Anderson went to Fargo to play for FCS championships, as the Bison won six of seven titles from 2011 to 2017. He landed on the Missouri Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team after a freshman season where he was a factor as a rusher (90 carries, 503 yards, 5.6 ypc, two touchdowns), receiver (8 receptions, 55 yards, 6.9 ypr, one touchdown), and especially as a kick returner (16 attempts, 585 yards, school-record 36.6 per return, two touchdowns) in 15 games. Anderson suffered a sophomore slump due to injuries, playing in just nine games as a reserve (38 carries, 253 yards, 6.7 ypc, one touchdown rushing; 4 receptions, 38 yards, 9.5 ypr,; 18 attempts, 363 yards, 20.2 average on kick returns). He came back strong in 2017, however, starting eight of 15 games and earning second-team All-MVFC honors with 1,216 rushing yards and 12 scores on 234 carries (5.2 ypc). Anderson also caught eight passes for 156 yards (19.5 ypr) and three touchdowns. He again started eight of 15 games in 2018, helping NDSU win yet another national title as the team's leading rusher (124 carries, 924 yards, 7.5 ypc, nine touchdowns). The second-team All-MVFC selection contributed in the passing game (12 receptions, 199 yards, 16.6 ypr, three touchdowns) and as a kick returner (10 attempts, 219 yards, 21.9 average), as well.

Overview
Possesses decent size and speed, but is missing functional vision, patience and power. Anderson runs with a narrow base which robs him of contact balance and lateral elusiveness and he doesn't have a good feel for setting up blocks and choosing optimal rushing lanes. Anderson will need to shine on special teams and prove he can handle third-down duties to improve his chances of making a roster.

Strengths
Good lateral quickness
Makes downhill cuts without having to gather and slow
Decent long speed with high school background as sprinter
Effective use of well-timed stiff-arm to separate from tacklers
Plays with good burst out of route breaks
Has both kick coverage and kick return experience.
Weaknesses
Runs with a narrow base and lack of power
Missing quality jump-cut to elude early penetration
Lacks instincts and aggression as interior runner
Missed the creases and struggled to find paydirt on goal line carries
Fails to press line of scrimmage and set up blockers
Impatient runner who will climb on top of blockers.

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