Nic Anderson, WR, LSU
Size:
Height: 6’4” | Weight: 220 lbs
Accomplishments:
All-Big 12 honorable mention (2023) • Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist (2023)
“Nic Anderson has a nice combination of size and speed to be utilized as a big-play vertical threat while also being a reliable possession receiver in the middle of the field.”
Strengths:
Vertical big-play threat
Big frame
RAC
Alignment/position-versatile
Concerns:
Limited catch radius
Confidence to catch ball away from frame
Detailed route-running
Film Analysis:
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Nic Anderson serves as a big-play threat for the Oklahoma Sooners, averaging more than 21.0 yards per catch. Anderson has a big frame and deceptive speed to run past defenders and make big plays for an offense. Anderson possesses an ideal combination of route-running, vertical speed, and size that gives him the opportunity and potential to become a dominant receiver in all facets of the passing game.
Evaluating Anderson as a route-runner, he has an above-average ability to run routes for a big-framed receiver. Anderson is a high-cut receiver but can sink his hips and get in and out of breaks. At the top of the routes, Anderson can create quick separation from defenders to give quarterbacks a quick window to get him the ball without interference from the defenders. Anderson understands how to mix the tempos of his routes and will give defensive backs different speeds on his releases and routes to keep them off-balance.
For a big receiver, Anderson has an element of quickness and acceleration in his athletic profile that he uses depending on the route. When Anderson has to get vertical, he accelerates quickly into the deeper portions of the field and does a good job of tracking the deep ball to haul in the pass. In the short-to-intermediate phases of the game, he will show different route-running speeds so he can read the defense and give defensive backs different looks. After Anderson catches the ball and turns into a runner, he uses his frame to become a difficult tackle. Anderson has above-average contact balance and can run through arm tackles. Anderson is a strider with deceptive speed who quickly picks up ground, which allows him to have the opportunity to pick up significant yardage after the catch.
The biggest area of improvement for Anderson is his ability to expand his catch radius. Anderson has ideal measurables to have a wide catch radius and catch balls away from his frame but on most occasions, he allows the ball to get into his frame and then catches the ball. This process limits Anderson's catch radius and could also allow defenders to make a play on the ball. Anderson also needs to attack the football at its highest point. On many occasions, Anderson will let the football fall into his hands instead of going up and getting the football. This issue does not allow Anderson to use his 6-foot-4 frame to attack the football and truly become a dominant player in 50/50 contested catch situations.
Overall, Anderson is a big-bodied receiver who has the opportunity to serve as a true X-receiver or a power slot for an NFL offense and has the ceiling to be physically dominant.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
