Tag: otis anderson

Sean McVay reflects on Otis Anderson Jr.’s time with Rams in wake of tragic death

Sean McVay reflected on Otis Anderson Jr.’s time with the Rams in wake of his tragic death this week.

Tragic news struck this week when it was discovered that Otis Anderson Jr. was shot and killed in Jacksonville, Fla., on Monday night. His father was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder after allegedly shooting Anderson Jr. and his mother.

Anderson spent a few months with the Rams this year, signing to the 90-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of UCF and then landing on their practice squad for about a week to open the season. On Wednesday, Sean McVay reflected on Anderson’s time in Los Angeles, speaking glowingly of him and how engaged he was with the Rams.

“Just being around him, he had just such a bright smile,” McVay said. “He was always so engaged, had a good look in his eye. He was such a joy to be around. Such a shame. Unfortunately it just gives you such a perspective. I think about some of the things that I really get upset about and then you really think about all the different blessings. It was great to be able to be around him. Terribly sorry for him and all the people affected by that and they’re in our thoughts and prayers. Loved being around Otis and he was a real joy to be around.”

Anderson played in all three preseason games for the Rams, carrying it three times for 10 yards and catching two passes for 16 yards. He also returned three kickoffs for 54 yards and a punt for 15 yards.

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Rams players mourn death of former teammate Otis Anderson Jr.

Jalen Ramsey, Terrell Burgess and Jordan Fuller were among the many Rams players who were shocked by the tragic death of Otis Anderson Jr.

Otis Anderson Jr. spent a couple of months with the Los Angeles Rams this year after signing with them as an undrafted rookie out of UCF. He was waived by the team in September but he built connections with teammates in Los Angeles during his brief time in the NFL.

Tragically, Anderson was shot and killed in a domestic incident on Monday night in Jacksonville. He was just 23 years old.

After news of his death broke, there was an outpouring of support and prayers from his former teammates with the Rams, who reacted on Twitter. Jalen Ramsey, Terrell Burgess, Sebastian Joseph-Day and David Long Jr. were among those to share their thoughts and prayers on social media.

Rookie Jacob Harris was Anderson’s teammate at UCF, as well as with the Rams. He was heartbroken to learn Anderson had been killed, tweeting that he “can’t believe this is real.”

Rams director of football affairs Jacques McClendon shared a message on Twitter, too, writing that the world lost “an incredible human” in Anderson.

Former Rams practice squad RB Otis Anderson Jr. shot and killed in domestic incident

Former Rams practice squad RB Otis Anderson Jr. was shot and killed in a domestic incident Monday night.

Former Rams practice squad running back Otis Anderson Jr. was killed in a domestic shooting in Jacksonville on Monday night. A woman inside the home was also shot and transported to the hospital, according to News4Jax.

A 52-year-old man, Otis Lee Anderson Sr., was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder. The house where the incident occurred belongs to him and Denise Anderson, who appear to be Otis Anderson Jr.’s parents.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday but did not confirm Anderson as the man who was killed. It’s being described as a domestic incident, and one man was detained for questioning, according to Clayton Freeman of the Florida Times-Union.

University of Central Florida play-by-play analyst Marc Daniels tweeted Tuesday about the “loss of a life taken far too soon.” The school’s athletic director, Terry Mohajir, also shared a message on Twitter.

A memorial was set up on the field at UCF’s football stadium Tuesday.

The Rams signed Anderson as an undrafted rookie out of UCF back in June, adding him to their 90-man roster. In the preseason, Anderson had three carries for 10 yards and also caught two passes for 16 yards.

As a return specialist, he returned three kickoffs for 54 yards and one punt for 15 yards.

Anderson was waived during the final round of cuts in September, and the Rams signed him to their practice squad. However, on Sept. 20, the Rams waived him from their practice squad.

At UCF, Anderson rushed for 2,182 yards and added 1,025 yards receiving, scoring 26 touchdowns on offense and also returning a punt for a score. His best season came in 2019, when he had 1,091 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns.

Anderson, 23, is not related to former Giants running back Ottis Anderson.

Cardinals had 5 players in for tryout Tuesday

Their two practice squad signings came from the five workouts.

The Arizona Cardinals announced some practice squad moves Wednesday morning. That comes on the heels of having five players in on Tuesday for a workout.

The Cardinals often bring in players on Tuesday to address depth because of injuries or simply to try and make the back end of the roster better. On Tuesday, they had in three running backs and a pair of defensive backs.

They ultimately signed two of them.

Who were they?

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Utility position: Otis Anderson by the numbers in Josh Heupel’s offense

Utility position: Otis Anderson by the numbers in Josh Heupel’s offense

Tennessee will kick off the Josh Heupel-era on Sept. 2 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium.

Heupel is one the most innovative offensive minds in football.

‘Josh Heupel’s Offense’ e-book now available

The utility position is used within Heupel’s offensive scheme, allowing for a running back to be used in the passing and running game.

Players in the utility position are versatile and positioned in various spots on the field.

Running back Otis Anderson played in the utility position at UCF under Heupel. Below are Anderson’s stats during the 2020 season.

5 things to know about new Rams RB/PR Otis Anderson Jr.

Otis Anderson Jr. is the latest player to join the Rams, providing value on offense and special teams.

With a roster spot available ahead of training camp, the Los Angeles Rams signed undrafted rookie Otis Anderson Jr. this week. The former UCF Knight is elusive and versatile, possessing the ability to play running back, receiver and punt returner.

He’ll have to fight to make the team in a crowded backfield, but if he carves out a role on special teams, he could leave a mark as a return specialist.

Here are five things to know about Anderson.

Rams sign former UCF RB Otis Anderson Jr.

The Los Angeles Rams have added another running back, bringing in versatile RB Otis Anderson Jr.

The Los Angeles Rams’ backfield is already fairly crowded with Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones and Jake Funk, but the team added even more depth this week. Former UCF running back Otis Anderson Jr., who went undrafted this year, announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Rams.

Anderson spent four years at UCF, proving to be a versatile player for the Knights. He carried the ball 358 times for 2,182 yards and 17 touchdowns (6.1 yards per carry), also catching 91 passes for 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns.

He’s undersized at only 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, but he’s capable as a runner, receiver and return man. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report of Anderson that he has “exciting punt return potential, averaging 12.3 yards per return for his career.”

It’s unlikely Anderson will contribute much as a running back unless it’s primarily as a scat back who catches passes, but he could help the Rams solve their return specialist issue by winning that job in training camp.