Troy Andersen

Last updated

Troy Andersen
Troy Andersen interview.jpg
Andersen in 2022
No. 44 – Atlanta Falcons
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1999-04-23) April 23, 1999 (age 25)
Dillon, Montana, U.S
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Beaverhead County
(Dillon, Montana)
College: Montana State (2017–2021)
NFL draft: 2022  / round: 2 / pick: 58
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team FCS All-American (2021)
  • Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year (2021)
  • Big Sky Freshman of the Year (2017) [a]
  • 3× First-team All-Big Sky (2018 [b] –2021)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2024
Total tackles:132
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:2
Interceptions:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Troy Andersen (born April 23, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Montana State where previously played quarterback, running back and fullback for them before moving to linebacker. He was named a FCS All-American and the Big Sky Conference defensive player of the year in 2021.

Contents

Early life

Andersen was born on April 23, 1999, and grew up on his family's cattle ranch in Dillon, Montana. [1] [2] He attended Beaverhead County High School, where he played quarterback and safety for their football team, as well as on their basketball and track teams. As a senior, Andersen was named first-team All-State at quarterback and safety, as well as the Montana Defensive Player of the Year, after he passed for 1,403 yards, rushed for 877 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns on offense and had 71 tackles with three interceptions and two fumbles recovered on defense while Beaverhead won the Class A state championship. [3]

College career

Andersen started games at both running back and linebacker as a true freshman and was named the Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year after rushing for 515 yards and five touchdowns with seven receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown on offense and recording nine tackles with one sack on defense. [4] He moved to quarterback before his sophomore season after two-year starter Chris Murray was ruled academically ineligible to play. [5] Andersen completed 115 of 208 passes for 1,195 yards with three touchdowns and seven interceptions and also rushed for 1,412 yards and a school-record 21 touchdowns and was named first-team All-Big Sky. [6]

Andersen moved back to linebacker and also played fullback as a junior. He was named first-team all-conference after finishing the season with 54 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks with one interception and five passes broken up. [7] Andersen redshirted his senior season while recovering from injuries. [8] As a redshirt senior, Andersen was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and was the runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award. [9] [10] Andersen played in the 2022 Senior Bowl. [11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 3+12 in
(1.92 m)
243 lb
(110 kg)
32+18 in
(0.82 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.42 s1.51 s2.53 s4.07 s6.77 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)
10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)
Sources: [12] [13]

Andersen was drafted in the second round with the 58th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL draft. [14] The Falcons previously obtained the pick in the trade that sent Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans. Andersen made his season debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers, Andersen made his first professional start, where had a season-high 13 tackles in the 28–14 win. [15] He finished the season with 69 tackles through 17 games and five starts.

On September 26, 2023, Andersen was placed on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder/pectoral injury in Week 3. [16]

In Week 4 of the 2024 season, Andersen recorded 16 tackles and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in a 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. [17]

Personal life

Andersen is a cousin of Major League Baseball pitcher Codi Heuer. [18] His father played college basketball at Eastern Oregon University, while his sister ran track at Montana State. [19] Andersen graduated from Montana State with a degree in agricultural business in May 2021. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karlos Dansby</span> American football player (born 1981)

Karlos Montez Dansby is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Auburn Tigers and received All-American recognition. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft, and has also played for the Miami Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Hawk</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1984)

Aaron James Hawk is an American sports analyst and former professional football linebacker who played for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers fifth overall in the 2006 NFL draft and he later won Super Bowl XLV with the team. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he earned All-American honors twice and won the Lombardi Award as a senior. He won the BCS National Championship Game with the Buckeyes as a freshman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Greenway</span> American football player (born 1983)

Chad Greenway is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 11-year career as a linebacker with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana–Montana State football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Montana–Montana State football rivalry is an annual college football rivalry game between the University of Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State University Bobcats. The game is most historically and commonly known as the Cat-Griz game, and sometimes as the Griz-Cat game. Since 1997, the match has been advertised as the Brawl of the Wild. The winner receives the massive Great Divide Trophy, as the universities are on opposite sides of the continental divide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montana State Bobcats football</span> Football program of Montana State University

The Montana State Bobcats football program competes in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision for Montana State University. The program began in 1897 and has won three national championships. It is the only college football program in the nation to win national championships on three different levels of competition, NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I-AA. Through the 2022 season, the Bobcats had played in 1,049 games with an all-time record of 525–492–32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kroy Biermann</span> American football player and reality television star

Kroy Evan Biermann is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Weatherspoon</span> American football player (born 1987)

Franklin De'Sean Weatherspoon is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Missouri, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 19th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Carter (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Bruce Edward Carter is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Kerrigan</span> American football player and coach (born 1988)

Patrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American professional football coach and former player who is the assistant linebackers and pass rush specialist coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior before being selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mason Foster</span> American football player (born 1989)

Mason Foster is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Washington Huskies. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tuggle</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Justin DuJian Tuggle is an American former professional football linebacker. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football at Kansas State. Tuggle is the son of former five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jessie Tuggle. He is also the brother of Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Tripp</span> American football player (born 1991)

Jordan Lee Tripp is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Los Angeles Rams season</span> 80th season in franchise history, first in L.A. since 1994

The 2016 Los Angeles Rams season was the franchise's 79th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the fifth and final under head coach Jeff Fisher. It was the franchise's 50th season in the Greater Los Angeles Area and the first since 1994. The team returned to Los Angeles after 21 seasons in St. Louis. The Rams decided from 2016 to 2019 to return to wearing white uniforms at home in Los Angeles as a nod to the Fearsome Foursome era. In Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks, their NFC West divisional rival, the Rams wore white horns on their helmet just for the one game only, a move which would be repeated for the entire following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deion Jones</span> American football player (born 1994)

Deion Jones is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keanu Neal</span> American football player (born 1995)

Keanu Neal is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Florida Gators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De'Vondre Campbell</span> American football player (born 1993)

De'Vondre Campbell is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Minnesota and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Campbell has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damontae Kazee</span> American football player (born 1993)

Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayon Brown</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jayon Lee Brown is an American football middle linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, after playing college football at UCLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorenzo Carter (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Lorenzo Lemuel Carter is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia, and was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft by the New York Giants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Los Angeles Rams season</span> 83rd season in franchise history

The 2019 season was the Los Angeles Rams' 82nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 83rd overall, their 53rd in the Greater Los Angeles Area and their third under head coach Sean McVay. It also marked the Rams' final season playing their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, as the team moved into SoFi Stadium in Inglewood beginning with the 2020 season alongside the Los Angeles Chargers. They entered the season as the defending NFC champions looking to bounce back after their Super Bowl LIII loss to the New England Patriots.

References

  1. 1 2 Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2022 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic . p. 206. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  2. Schwedelson, Paul (November 15, 2018). "Upbringing on ranch prepared Andersen for uncanny role with Bobcats". Bozeman Daily Chronicle . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  3. Mansch, Scott (February 1, 2017). "MSU recruiting: Top talent Andersen leads class". Great Falls Tribune . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  4. "Montana State freshman Troy Andersen a finalist for Jerry Rice Award". Billings Gazette . November 20, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  5. Collingwood, Ryan (September 25, 2018). "Eastern Washington notebook: Quarterback Troy Andersen does it all for resurgent Montana State". The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  6. "Montana's Dante Olson, Montana State's Troy Andersen land on STATS All-America teams". Missoulian . December 18, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  7. Flores, Victor (August 7, 2021). "Anticipation building for return of Troy Andersen, 'the focal point' of Montana State's defense". Bozeman Daily Chronicle . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  8. "Montana State LB Troy Andersen expected to miss 2020 season". ESPN.com . Associated Press. June 3, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  9. "Montana State's Troy Andersen named Big Sky defensive player of year, Bobcats earn all-conference honors". Clearfield Progress . November 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  10. Pool, Colton (January 7, 2022). "Florida A&M's Isaiah Land narrowly beats Montana State's Troy Andersen for Buchanan Award". Bozeman Daily Chronicle . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  11. "Montana State's Troy Andersen accepts Senior Bowl invitation". Missoulian . December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  12. "Troy Andersen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  13. "Troy Andersen, Montana State, OLB, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  14. Bair, Scott; McElhaney, Tori (April 29, 2022). "Falcons select ILB Troy Andersen with No. 58 overall 2022 NFL Draft pick". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  15. "San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - October 16th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  16. "Falcons place linebacker Troy Andersen on injured reserve". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 26, 2023.
  17. Gordon, Grant (October 2, 2024). "Ravens RB Derrick Henry, Lions QB Jared Goff highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  18. Mansch, Scott (December 15, 2021). "Montana State star Troy Andersen has roots in Murray County". The Globe . Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  19. Mansch, Scott (April 14, 2018). "Bobcat star Troy Andersen has high hopes for 2018 season". Great Falls Tribune . Retrieved January 25, 2022.

Notes

  1. Selected as running back
  2. Selected as quarterback