Billy Trice
Sports Editor
The NFL draft is only a month away and redshirt senior running back Jaymar Anderson is currently doing everything in his power to leave a lasting impression on National Football League (NFL) scouts.
The six-foot-two-inch, 210 pound Anderson is hopeful to hear his name called in April on draft night.
Given the fact that Anderson is coming out of a small Division II school like ESU, it will make his chances of landing on a team in the league that much harder.
His dream of reaching the NFL is not impossible. Many players have found their way to the league while playing DII football.
For example, his teammate last season, wide receiver Tim Wilson shined at the DII level and was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Even the new Warrior head football coach, Jimmy Terwilliger who is an alumni of the university, got his shot in the big leagues when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.
Anderson has a great chance to play at the next level due to his pro-style measurables and also his dominance in the PSAC league this season.
The ESU running back was named to the All-PSAC East first team and also a 2018 Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Region third team selection as well.
Although he only played in seven games this past season, he finished with 817 rushing yards on 142 carries and nine touchdowns. His most outstanding game this season was against the Seton Hill Griffins.
In early September on a cold and rainy Saturday, Anderson imposed his will against the Griffins by rushing for 239 yards on 32 carries, while averaging seven and a half yards per carry. Additionally, he also added six touchdowns on the day as well.
Many scouts and general managers of NFL’s hesitation on DII players stems from concerns on how their talent will translate against Division I competition.
However Anderson was recruited originally by Division I school Towson University and attended the institution after graduating from high school.
He had to leave the university due to his poor performance in the classroom; which in turn lead to his struggles on the field.
In an interview that Anderson did with Draft Diamonds, explained in detail about his on and off the field struggles and how he overcame them.
After being cut from Towson Football program, he played at a junior college to work on his skills in and out of the classroom.
Eventually, Anderson was able to raise his GPA and transfer to ESU.
Many individuals are talented and want to be in the NFL, but not all of them make it.
According to the NCAA’s website, only 1.6 percent of football players across all three NCAA divisions make it to the NFL and only 1.9 percent play in any professional league, such as Canada’s CFL.
Sometimes it is the personal motivational that is unique to each person that motivates them to achieve their goals.
According to Anderson, his motivation comes from providing for his children and being able to give back to his community.
It’s those circumstances that are fueling the former Warrior running back to train and prepare for a long shot opportunity to compete at the next level in his sport.
Anderson is a man who has faced much adversity in his life, and he has made the best of every situation he has been in.
Hopefully he hears his name on draft night or receives a phone call from an NFL team in search of the next small school talent as an undrafted free agent.
Email Billy at:
btrice@live.esu.edu
