Otis Anderson Jr.

Not to be confused with Ottis Anderson.

Otis Anderson Jr.
No. 32
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1998-11-12)November 12, 1998
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Died:November 29, 2021(2021-11-29) (aged 23)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:179 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville (FL) University Christian
College:UCF (2017–2020)
Undrafted:2021
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Otis Lee Anderson Jr. (November 12, 1998 – November 29, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UCF and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021. That same year, his father shot and killed him, garnering national attention. Anderson, who was not signed to a roster slot at the time of the occurrence, was a former practice squad member of the Los Angeles Rams.

College career

Anderson attended University Christian School in Jacksonville, Florida and the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he played college football for the Knights.[1][2] Regarded as a utility player, he was utilized as a slotback, running back, wide receiver, and return specialist. He is second all-time at UCF in yards per carry. He ranks ninth of all-time at UCF with 2,182 career rushing yards. His 3,708 all-purpose yards rank eighth all-time at UCF. He also has 27 total touchdowns, which ranks eighth in school history.[3]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 7+1⁄2 in
(1.71 m) 		179 lb
(81 kg) 		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.65 s 1.64 s 2.69 s 4.42 s 7.04 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 11 reps
All values from Pro Day[4]

After not being selected in the 2021 NFL draft, Anderson signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent.[5][6] The Rams cut him following training camp.[7] He signed to the team's practice squad on September 1, 2021,[8] and was released on September 20.[9]

Death

Anderson was shot and killed by his father, Otis Lee Anderson Sr., in a domestic disturbance over an alleged dog bite on November 29, 2021.[10][7][11] His father pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in November 2023, and received 12 and half years total in a state prison.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Jacksonville RB Otis Anderson Jr. commits to UCF". Orlando Sentinel. March 17, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "Former UC star Otis Anderson Jr. is ready for NFL draft". News4jax.com. April 22, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Frenette, Gene (August 24, 2018). "Love or hate UCF, Knights bring the swagger". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "Otis Anderson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "Former UC football star Otis Anderson Jr. signs free-agent contract with Rams". News4jax.com. June 23, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Williams, Charean (June 23, 2021). "Rams sign former UCF standout Otis Anderson Jr". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Adelson, Andrea (November 30, 2021). "Father charged in death of ex-UCF RB Anderson". ESPN.com.
  8. ^ Jackson, Stu (September 1, 2021). "Rams sign 14 players to practice squad". TheRams.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Otis Anderson: Cut from Rams' practice squad". CBSSports.com. September 20, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Li, David K. (November 30, 2021). "Former UCF football player allegedly killed by his father in dispute over dog bite". NBC News.
  11. ^ Feindt, Casey (November 30, 2021). "Internet mourns former UCF RB reportedly killed in Jacksonville". firstcoastnews.com. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Butler, Scott (November 7, 2023). "Jacksonville football star's father sentenced to 12 years, 6 months for manslaughter". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved July 17, 2024.