Anderson Selected CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America
Dec 14 | Football
Rutgers punter becomes seventh Scarlet Knight to earn prestigious honor
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – 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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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