Otis Anderson
Versatile standout Anderson wows new UCF coaching staff
impresses the Knights’ new coaching staff.
As a freshman, Otis Anderson had to learn a new offensive system at UCF.
Scott Frost’s up-tempo spread offense was predicated on speed and athleticism, two of Anderson’s gifts. But it was the Jacksonville native’s ability to thrive not only as a running back but also as a receiver that made him a unique asset during the team’s run to an undefeated season.
It’s Year 2 and Anderson is back to learning a new offensive system, this one under first-year coach Josh Heupel.
“More tempo and everything is going faster,” Anderson said of Heupel’s offense. “You really don’t have a break. Everybody has to be on their toes on the sideline.
“I think I caught on to this one quicker just because of the simple rules they have to help you play faster.”
Anderson showed off his versatility last season, breaking off a 10-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes to seal a road win over Navy and catching a 12-yard touchdown pass on a crucial drive against Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The value of his skills is not lost on the new coaching staff.
“He gives you the ability to be multiple in your formations when you’re playing with tempo,” Heupel said of Anderson. “I think that’s something, if you’re going to play with tempo, it’s critical. He’s got the ability to play in the backfield and then split out and play
“He gives you the ability to be multiple in your formations when you’re playing with tempo.” UCF coach Josh Heupel on Otis Anderson
the wide receiver position.”
The 5-foot-11 Anderson finished the 2017 season third on the team in rushing with 69 carries for 494 yards and four touchdowns. He was also fifth on the team in receiving with 30 receptions for 351 yards and three touchdowns.
New running backs coach Anthony Tucker has been impressed by his new charge.
“What makes it fun is when you’re involved as an offensive coach, you like guys that are dynamic,” Tucker said. “Otis is a student of the game. He’s a lunch-pail guy. He comes to work every day and works his butt off. He meets more than anybody else meets as far as learning the entire offense.”
Part of that learning process for Anderson has led to him spending more time with the receivers group this spring as he learns to become more of a route receiver.
“We probably majored with him playing at the wide receiver position because fundamentally technique and understanding spacing, that’s probably the hardest growth pattern for him,” Heupel said of the move.
Anderson said he’s focused on making adjustments.
“It’s just different ways of running their routes,” Anderson said. “They run it different from the previous coaching staff. So it’s just me understanding how to use my hands and how to use my arms to run those certain routes and just being fast and not thinking about it.”
He has impressed his coaches off the field as well.
“The dude is getting dang near straight As in the classroom and he takes care of business and he’s a young kid,” Tucker said of Anderson. “He just got here. His ceiling is really high.”
Anderson said he takes his academics seriously and knows he has to prepare for life without football.
“School work is very important. That was the most important thing to me before I even came to college,” he said. “Sooner or later you have to hang up your cleats.”
Anderson, who is studying communications, said it’s been a much smoother transition from his first spring to his second, especially when it comes to balancing life as a student and a college athlete.
“I’ll say it’s getting easier because I understand how to use my time better,” he said.
While Anderson said the running back position is his favorite, he doesn’t particularly care where he lines up as long as he gets the desired results.
“Running back is something I’ve been playing my whole life and it’s a lot easier, but receiver is just different ways to get me the ball and just different ways to help my team win,” he said. “Whichever is needed for me to play in a specific time or situation, I will play either.”