Ryan Anderson (American football)


Ryan Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Washington Football Team of the National Football League. He played college football for Alabama and was drafted by Washington, then known as the Redskins, in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Early years

Anderson attended Daphne High School in Daphne, Alabama. He had 75 tackles and 14.5 sacks for the football team during his junior year. As a senior, he had 105 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior. Anderson committed to the University of Alabama to play college football.

College career

After redshirting his first year at Alabama in 2012, Anderson played in all 13 games in 2013 and had 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2014, he played in all 14 games, recording 25 tackles and three sacks. As a junior in 2015, he had 37 tackles and six sacks. He returned to Alabama for his senior year in 2016.

Professional career

Anderson received an invitation to the Senior Bowl, but was unable to play in the game after he dislocated his thumb during the first day of practice. He attended the NFL Combine and decided to not perform the short shuttle, broad jump, bench press, and three-cone drill. Anderson also participated at Alabama's Pro Day, but opted to only perform the three-cone and positional drills. He was projected to be a second to fourth round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and analysts. He was ranked the 5th best outside linebacker by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, the 7th best linebacker by ESPN, 8th best outside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com, and was ranked the 13th best edge rusher by Sports Illustrated.
The Washington Redskins selected Anderson in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 11, 2017, the Redskins signed Anderson to a four-year, $5.32 million contract with $2.71 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.01 million. Along with being a backup outside linebacker behind starters Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith, Anderson took offensive snaps at fullback during his rookie season.
In Week 13 of the 2019 season, Anderson got his first career start against the Carolina Panthers as a replacement for Ryan Kerrigan, who suffered a concussion the previous game. Anderson was ejected in that game due to a helmet-to-helmet hit he inflicted on tight end Greg Olsen. The next game against the Green Bay Packers, he recorded a strip sack against quarterback Aaron Rodgers as well as recovered the fumble. Anderson would be named a starter before Week 15 after Kerrigan was placed on injured reserve. In his second start against the Philadelphia Eagles, Anderson had a dominating performance recording two sacks and three force fumbles.