Written by: Felix Chavez/Sun-News Reporter
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Marcus Anderson has come a long way in a short time frame in his football career.
And it's paid off with a Division I scholarship.
The 5-foot-7 Anderson didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school in Austin, Texas, and that came at the encouragement of his cousin, Everett Myles.
"I played other sports and did fine in those," Anderson said. "I'd always liked football and I'm fortunate that everything has worked out."
After two years in high school, Anderson decided the junior college route was the best for him, so he decided to attend Pasadena City College in California. In two seasons there, he caught 84 passes for 846 yards and nine scores. He also returned kicks and punts for the Lancers. Last year, he returned a kickoff 88 yards and a punt 77 yards.
"I was able to mature in junior college and gain a lot of experience," said Anderson, who chose NMSU over Washington State. "Coming into this setting, I feel confident and ready to learn a new offense. The game hasn't changed much from JC to Division I. I just have to continue to work hard and pick things up as I go along. It's a fun offense to play in and my goal has always been to play Division I, New Mexico State was a good fit."
Anderson was named to the JC Grid-Wire All-American second team last year at the all-purpose position.
He said coming into the Air Raid offense at NMSU has been a challenge in terms of learning his new assignments. He will be looked upon to replace the departed Derek Dubois, one of the top receivers for the Aggies during the three previous seasons.
"There are players here that have been in this offense for three years and they know what it takes, so I am just trying to pick up everything I can and learn from them," Anderson said. "I really wanted to be here in the spring picking up the offense. I didn't want to have to learn everything in the summer and fall. I just want to continue to get more reps."
Anderson comes from an athletic family. His mother Charlotte ran track at Texas and his father Mal played football at Grambling University.
New Mexico State senior receiver A.J. Harris said Anderson has been an instant hit in the offense.
"He'll fit in just fine with us," Harris said. "He has good speed, good hands and he works hard. He's a good pickup for us and he has experience in games on the junior college level."
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The April 26 spring game is slated for April 26. Admission to the game is free and tailgate lots for fans will open at 7 a.m. Various prizes will be given out during the game, hot dogs will be available for $1 and season tickets will be available for purchase. Tickets range from $36-108.
The game will be broadcast once again this year on KSNM-AM 570.
Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com
