Strengths: strong at point of attack, play recognition, neutralizing blocks
Weaknesses: tweener, pass rushing moves
MJ Anderson is a defensive end from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, MO. Anderson committed to the Gophers over offers from Notre Dame, South Carolina, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Arkansas among others. He missed his junior season with a broken leg.
This report will be based upon his sophomore season film since he missed his junior season. MJ shows a strong ability at the point of attack. Even as a sophomore, his physicality at the point of attack and willingness to engage blockers blew up a ton of running plays. A good amount of plays they tried to neutralize him by making him the option DE in a read option, but each time he recognized the read option and his shoulders stayed square to the line as he squeezed the tackle. He played those plays perfectly, which is credit to him as only a sophomore. Anderson does a nice job of getting flat down the line when teams run zone away from him to put himself in a position to make a play. His hand usage appeared better in his senior year spring tape.
As a sophomore MJ weighed 262 pounds, and now he is up to the 270-range. Given his dominance in run support, it will be interesting to see if they wish to keep him at DE or move him inside to DT. I think he could have the ability to do both, pending what they want him to do. He may need to work on his body composition a bit if he intends to stay at DE. While MJ showed a nice ability to bend the corner in a pass rush, that was typically the only move he went to. A larger repertoire of pass rushing moves utilizing a bull rush, spin move, rips, swims, etc. would help in his pass rush development as he goes forward.
Anderson’s sophomore film was very impressive and I’m excited to see him build upon his success. Given that his injury was a broken leg and nothing ligament related, I am hopeful he will be able to come back fully healthy and have a dominant season once he gets back into playing shape. He will be a player for the Gophers down the road, regardless of position.
Weaknesses: tweener, pass rushing moves
MJ Anderson is a defensive end from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, MO. Anderson committed to the Gophers over offers from Notre Dame, South Carolina, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Arkansas among others. He missed his junior season with a broken leg.
This report will be based upon his sophomore season film since he missed his junior season. MJ shows a strong ability at the point of attack. Even as a sophomore, his physicality at the point of attack and willingness to engage blockers blew up a ton of running plays. A good amount of plays they tried to neutralize him by making him the option DE in a read option, but each time he recognized the read option and his shoulders stayed square to the line as he squeezed the tackle. He played those plays perfectly, which is credit to him as only a sophomore. Anderson does a nice job of getting flat down the line when teams run zone away from him to put himself in a position to make a play. His hand usage appeared better in his senior year spring tape.
As a sophomore MJ weighed 262 pounds, and now he is up to the 270-range. Given his dominance in run support, it will be interesting to see if they wish to keep him at DE or move him inside to DT. I think he could have the ability to do both, pending what they want him to do. He may need to work on his body composition a bit if he intends to stay at DE. While MJ showed a nice ability to bend the corner in a pass rush, that was typically the only move he went to. A larger repertoire of pass rushing moves utilizing a bull rush, spin move, rips, swims, etc. would help in his pass rush development as he goes forward.
Anderson’s sophomore film was very impressive and I’m excited to see him build upon his success. Given that his injury was a broken leg and nothing ligament related, I am hopeful he will be able to come back fully healthy and have a dominant season once he gets back into playing shape. He will be a player for the Gophers down the road, regardless of position.
