Anderson Selected CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America
Dec 14 | Football
Rutgers punter becomes seventh Scarlet Knight to earn prestigious honor
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers football punter Ryan Anderson earned the prestigious honor of being named CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Thursday. The fifth-year senior is one of just 25 Division I football student-athletes, and the only punter, to garner the recognition. The honor distinguishes student-athletes for combined performance on the field and in the classroom.
Ā
Anderson is the seventh Scarlet Knight across all sports to be selected CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America and the third football player, joining David Milewksi (2014) and Nate Jones (2003). A total of 23 Rutgers representatives have now collected CoSIDA Academic All-America status since the program started in 1952.
Ā
"I am beyond humbled to have been able to end my collegiate career the way I did," Anderson said. "Balancing school and football hasn't always been easy, and thanks to having an amazing support system around me, I was able to do so. I want to thank the entire Rutgers family for all of their love, support and for giving me an opportunity to end my college career the way I did. It wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support from the coaching staff, support staff and all of the Rutgers family. I will always have fond memories of my short time at Rutgers and I can't thank everyone enough who helped me along my winding path of college athletics. Thank you to everyone who played a role. I am forever grateful."
Ā
Previously named the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year as the Big Ten's top punter, Anderson was the first Scarlet Knight to be a First Team All-Big Ten member in both the coaches' and media vote. He was also a member of the Associated Press First Team All-Big Ten.
Ā
Anderson paced the league and ranked No. 13 nationally with an average of 44.4 yards per attempt to establish a single-season program record. A member of the Ray Guy Award watch list, he booted 27 attempts at least 50 yards and seven of 60 or more yards, including a 70-yard kick at Indiana that ranks as the fifth-longest in school history. Anderson also pinned 20 inside the 20-yard line and helped RU improve 82 spots in the national rankings in net punting from a season ago.
Ā
Additionally, Anderson was first in Big Ten games with a 45.0 average. That included a 12-punt versus Purdue that helped RU control field position in a 14-12 victory.
Ā
Anderson is working on a master's degree in communication and information studies with a concentration in strategic organizational communication as a graduate student at Rutgers. He previously earned his bachelor's degree in May 2017 with a 4.0 GPA at Olivet College as a business administration major with a management concentration and a minor in sports/recreation management. The DeWitt, Michigan, native started his collegiate career at Division II Saginaw Valley State.
Anderson picks up the accolade after being voted 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for NCAA Division III football at Olivet.
Ā
Under the direction of head coach Chris Ash, Rutgers doubled its win total in 2017 and won three Big Ten games to match its high since joining the conference.
Ā
Rutgers CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America Selections
2017: Ryan Anderson (football)
2014: David Milewski (football)
2010: Caitlin Saxton (women's volleyball)
2003: Nate Jones (football)
2003: Alexis Jemal (fencing)
1997: Balazs Koranyi (track & field)
1989: Mike Haberman (baseball)
Ā
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Ā
Anderson is the seventh Scarlet Knight across all sports to be selected CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America and the third football player, joining David Milewksi (2014) and Nate Jones (2003). A total of 23 Rutgers representatives have now collected CoSIDA Academic All-America status since the program started in 1952.
Ā
"I am beyond humbled to have been able to end my collegiate career the way I did," Anderson said. "Balancing school and football hasn't always been easy, and thanks to having an amazing support system around me, I was able to do so. I want to thank the entire Rutgers family for all of their love, support and for giving me an opportunity to end my college career the way I did. It wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support from the coaching staff, support staff and all of the Rutgers family. I will always have fond memories of my short time at Rutgers and I can't thank everyone enough who helped me along my winding path of college athletics. Thank you to everyone who played a role. I am forever grateful."
Ā
Previously named the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year as the Big Ten's top punter, Anderson was the first Scarlet Knight to be a First Team All-Big Ten member in both the coaches' and media vote. He was also a member of the Associated Press First Team All-Big Ten.
Ā
Anderson paced the league and ranked No. 13 nationally with an average of 44.4 yards per attempt to establish a single-season program record. A member of the Ray Guy Award watch list, he booted 27 attempts at least 50 yards and seven of 60 or more yards, including a 70-yard kick at Indiana that ranks as the fifth-longest in school history. Anderson also pinned 20 inside the 20-yard line and helped RU improve 82 spots in the national rankings in net punting from a season ago.
Ā
Additionally, Anderson was first in Big Ten games with a 45.0 average. That included a 12-punt versus Purdue that helped RU control field position in a 14-12 victory.
Ā
Anderson is working on a master's degree in communication and information studies with a concentration in strategic organizational communication as a graduate student at Rutgers. He previously earned his bachelor's degree in May 2017 with a 4.0 GPA at Olivet College as a business administration major with a management concentration and a minor in sports/recreation management. The DeWitt, Michigan, native started his collegiate career at Division II Saginaw Valley State.
Anderson picks up the accolade after being voted 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for NCAA Division III football at Olivet.
Ā
Under the direction of head coach Chris Ash, Rutgers doubled its win total in 2017 and won three Big Ten games to match its high since joining the conference.
Ā
Rutgers CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America Selections
2017: Ryan Anderson (football)
2014: David Milewski (football)
2010: Caitlin Saxton (women's volleyball)
2003: Nate Jones (football)
2003: Alexis Jemal (fencing)
1997: Balazs Koranyi (track & field)
1989: Mike Haberman (baseball)
Ā
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding football, follow the program on Twitter @RFootball.
Players Mentioned
P
/ FootballTuesday, September 15
Tuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Friday, September 04
