University of Connecticut Athletics
Deon Anderson Drafted in Sixth Round by Dallas Cowboys
4/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
STORRS, Conn. (April 29, 2007) -- University of Connecticut fullback Deon Anderson was selected in the sixth round (195th overall) of the National Football League’s Entry Draft by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.
A starter from day one of his true freshman season, Anderson appeared in 47 games as Husky from 2002-06, starting each of the 26 that UConn opened with a personnel package that included a fullback. He gained 420 career yards on 114 carries with one touchdown. He also caught 48 passes for 394 yards and three scores.
Anderson was named UConn's team MVP in 2006 following his senior season. He was UConn’s top fullback for each of the first 11 games last year before suffering a pinched nerve in his neck that forced him to miss the season finale at No. 6 Louisville (Dec. 2), the only game that the four-year starter ever missed in his Husky career. He also enthusiastically played on all four special teams units (kickoff return and cover, punt return and cover). Anderson had nine tackles on special teams. Mainly a blocking back, he carried the ball 23 times for 78 yards and caught 14 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Anderson was also renowned 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 often with that, the performance, of all around him.
He becomes the first Husky drafted since 2005 when linebacker Alfred Fincher went in the third round to the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Dan Orlovsky went in the fifth round to the Detroit Lions. Anderson is the first Husky ever drafted by the Cowboys and the 17th player from UConn chosen in the NFL Draft.
"I am extremely happy for him, his wife and new baby," UConn head coach Randy Edsall said. "This is why you coach. You do it to see what this young man has gone through and has overcome to reach a life-long goal. You do it to discipline someone like Deon and then see it work out in the end to the point that he can turn around and be drafted. This, and watching these kids graduate, is why you coach, to help them get opportunities that you might not have thought that they would get otherwise. Helping them reach these goals is what coaching is all about.
"I'm also happy for our program to have three people get drafted in the last three years. I think that's a good statement of where UConn football is today. Deon fits right in with two our other two recent draftees, Alfred Fincher (third round, New Orleans, 2005) and Dan Orlovsky (fifth round, Detroit, 2005) in that they are people who were always willing to put in the time and effort necessary to excel and all three had a true passion for the game.
"Deon is a good kid who works extremely hard and you don't give up on people like that. He made some poor decisions, but not some horrible ones. We stuck by him, gave him another opportunity and he stuck with it and that has now allowed him to achieve one of his goals in life, playing in the NFL. I'm grateful that he's getting this opportunity with a great organization which traded up to get him. It is a great reflection on him and his ability to endure through hard times. Deon is one of my 'special guys.' He plays the game with such a passion and enthusiasm. This is a joyous day for both him and this program."
