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OVERVIEW The prodigal son returned to the Huskies in 2006 after leaving the school prior to the 2005 season. Known as one of the premier special teams coverage defenders in the nation, Deon?s physical blocking was sorely missed during his absence from the program. His return to the gridiron was capped when he was named the team?s Most Valuable Player during his senior year.
Anderson was a standout three-sport performer at Hope High School in Rhode Island. He earned All-New England and All-Conference honors in football and was named the team?s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He was an All-American wrestler, earning state and New England titles as a junior. Deon also finished fourth in the shot put in the New England Finals. He spent the 2001 campaign at Avon Old Farms Prep.
Anderson enrolled at Connecticut in 2002. He started five of twelve contests at fullback, gaining 119 yards on 34 carries (3.5 avg) with one touchdown. He made five catches for 12 yards and led the special teams with nine tackles (7 solos).
Deon lined up as the starting fullback in six of twelve 2003 games. He was bothered at midseason with a hand sprain that forced him to wear a splint, but he still rushed 35 times for 124 yards (3.5 avg) and caught fifteen passes for 148 yards (9.9 avg) and a score. He also led the special teams with eleven tackles (5 solos).
The team utilized a multiple receiver formation in 2004 and Deon started only three games, but saw considerable action blocking in each contest. He gained 99 yards on 22 attempts (4.5 avg) and snared fourteen passes for 133 yards (9.5 avg). He was also in on eleven tackles (4 solos) and gained 12 yards on one kickoff return.
He was re-admitted to Connecticut in the spring of 2006, but only on the condition that he paid his own way. He started nine of eleven contests, missing the season finale vs. Louisville due to a pinched nerve in his neck. Deon rushed only 23 times for 78 yards (3.4 avg) and hauled in fourteen passes for 101 yards (7.2 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. He also recorded nine tackles (5 solos).
In 47 games at Connecticut, Anderson started 23 times. He carried 114 times for 420 yards (3.7 avg) and one touchdown. He had 48 receptions for 394 yards (8.2 avg) and three scores, adding 12 yards on one kickoff return. He also recorded 40 tackles (21 solos).
CAREER NOTES
Originally recruited to play linebacker, Anderson has shown excellent tackling ability, as he led the team in special team tackles in each of his four seasons, finishing his career with 40 hits (21 solos)...Fumbled only three times on 162 touches of the ball (114 runs, 48 catches).
2006 SEASON
Anderson was the recipient of the team?s Most Valuable Player Award, given for the zeal he brought daily to practice and the vigor with which he enjoyed partaking in many of the game?s most unglamorous elements, lifting the spirits, and the performance, of all around him...Deon played in the team?s first eleven games, missing the season finale vs. Louisville with a pinched nerve in his neck...He started nine times, producing 78 yards on 23 carries (3.4 avg)...He caught fourteen passes for 101 yards (7.2 avg) and a pair of touch-downs, adding nine tackles (5 solos) while appearing on the punt return/coverage and kickoff return/coverage units.
2004 SEASON
Played in twelve games, starting at fullback vs. Boston College, West Virginia and Rutgers...Carried the ball 22 times on the year for 99 yards (4.5 avg) while catching fourteen passes for 133 yards (9.5 avg)...Also chipped in eleven special teams tackles (4 solos) and returned a kickoff 12 yards.
2003 SEASON
Played in every game, starting vs. Indiana, Army, Boston College, Buffalo, Lehigh and Rutgers at fullback...Collected 124 yards on 35 carries (3.5 avg) and caught fifteen passes for 148 yards (9.9 avg) and one touchdown...Also led the special teams unit with eleven tackles (5 solos).
2002 SEASON
Played in every game as a true freshman, starting at fullback vs. Boston College, Georgia Tech, Temple, Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic...Carried 34 times for 119 yards (3.5 avg) and one touchdown...Made five catches for 12 yards (2.4 avg)...Was a key performer on special teams, as he registered nine tackles (7 solos).
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.72 in the 40-yard dash...403-pound bench press...600-pound squat...317-pound power clean...28.5-inch vertical jump...30 ?-inch arm length...9 3/8-inch hands...Left-handed... 27/31 Wonderlic score.
COMBINE AGILITY TESTS
4.73 in the 40-yard dash...1.64 10-yard dash...2.76 20-yard dash...4.43 20-yard shuttle...
12.41 60-yard shuttle...7.27 three-cone drill...Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times.
33 Inch Vertical Jump...9.06 Broad Jump
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Avon (Ct.) Old Farms Prep School in 2001, playing football for head coach Kevin Driscoll...Spent his earlier prep days at Hope (Providence, R.I.) High School, where he was a standout in three sports ? football, track and wrestling...Earned All-New England and All-Conference honors in football and was named the team?s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year...Was an All-American wrestler, earning state and New England titles as a junior... Also finished fourth in the shot put in the New England Finals.
PERSONAL
Psychology major...Born Deon Terry Anderson on 1/27/83...Resides in Providence, Rhode Island. | 