Anderson finding his voice as one of Knights’ leaders
As the country battles the coronavirus pandemic, Otis Anderson wondered whether he would ever play football again at UCF.
Like many of his teammates, Anderson found himself stuck at home in isolation away from his teammates and as the hours turned into days and then weeks into months, Anderson considered his future.
“Some of the players, we got discouraged during the summer because it was tough not being here and working out together,” Anderson said. “During the summer, there were times when I thought about opting out.
“But I think that crossed everyone’s mind, just the fact the whole virus was spreading and the unknowns of the future and how it would affect you. I think everyone had that thought process.”
But gloom turned to excitement as players returned to campus in June and back onto the football field Saturday as No. 13 UCF defeated Georgia Tech 49-21 during the season opener in Atlanta.
“It was a great feeling, especially [considering] the fact we might not have had a season,” Anderson said. “There were a lot of questions on whether we would be able to play.”
The Knights rushed for 243 yards, with six players sharing 51 carries. Anderson led the team in rushing yards (88) and carries (18). He added a one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“He’s done it time and time again,” said UCF co-offensive coordinator Anthony Tucker, who’s been Anderson’s position coach for the past two seasons. “He’s as dependable as it gets. I didn’t expect anything than what he did.”
Knights coach Josh Heupel was impressed by Anderson and the entire running backs group.
“I thought they did a great job of pressing the line of scrimmage and delivering those great blocks,” Heupel said. “… I like what they did, and I thought they did a great job in protection as well.”
Anderson is coming off a careerbest season during which he led the team in rushing (726 yards) and carries (113) and was also the team leader in all-purpose yards (1,091). He scored eight touchdowns while splitting time at running back, slot receiver and punt returner.
His versatility has long been an asset for the Knights.
He led the American Athletic Conference in punt returns last season and he’s eager to help on kickoffs as well.
“That’s something I’ve been practicing since my freshman year,” Anderson said. “It’s been in my back pocket just in case. That’s something I can do to throw other teams for a loop. If I get a chance to return it, I’m going to return it.”
Heading into this season, the Jacksonville native didn’t have any specific statistical goals.
“I want to put up the best numbers I can,” Anderson said. “I don’t have any numbers in mind, but a repeat of last season would be great for me. I just want to get wins and continue to help my team.”
Tucker said Anderson came through for his team in the season opener.
“We’ve seen it week in and week out over the last three years. I was proud of Otis and I’m proud of Otis every day,” Tucker said.
While much of the focus during the offseason was on the uncertainty about the upcoming season, Anderson took advantage of his platform as a college athlete to express concerns about social justice issues facing the country.
He was among several football players urging the university to fire Charles Negy, an associate psychology professor who sparked protests with his controversial social media posts about race and class.
“We have a platform for a reason and without using your platform, what’s the use of having it?” Anderson said. “That was a given for me to speak out. I’ve always had opinions and thoughts behind that, and I just wanted to be able to use it at that time.”
Anderson also feels comfortable using his voice among his teammates.
“The last couple of years, I’ve been a leader by showing and producing, but this year I want to be more vocal. I hold people accountable a whole lot more than I used to,” he said.