The prodigal son returned to the Huskies in 2006 after leaving the school prior to the 2005 season. Known as one of the premier special-teams coverage defenders in the nation, Anderson's physical blocking was sorely missed during his absence from the program. His return was capped when he was named the team's Most Valuable Player during his senior year.

Anderson was a standout three-sport performer at Hope High School in Rhode Island. He earned All-New England and All-Conference honors in football and was named the team's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He was an All-American wrestler, earning state and New England titles as a junior. Anderson also finished fourth in the shot put in the New England Finals. He spent the 2001 campaign at Avon Old Farms Prep.

Anderson enrolled at Connecticut in 2002. He started 5 of 12 contests at fullback, gaining 119 yards on 34 carries (3.5-yard average) with one touchdown. He made five catches for 12 yards and led the special teams with nine tackles (seven solo).

Anderson lined up as the starting fullback in 6 of 12 games in 2003. He was bothered at midseason with a hand sprain that forced him to wear a splint, but he still rushed 35 times for 124 yards (3.5 avg) and caught 15 passes for 148 yards (9.9 avg) and a score. He also led the special teams with 11 tackles (five solo).

The team utilized a multiple-receiver formation in 2004 and Anderson started only three games, but saw considerable action as a blocker. He gained 99 yards on 22 attempts (4.5 avg) and caught 14 passes for 133 yards (9.5 avg). He was also in on 11 tackles (four solo) and gained 12 yards on one kickoff return.

Off-the-field issues and academic struggles forced Anderson to leave Connecticut in 2005, when he did not play football. He was re-admitted to Connecticut in the spring of 2006, but only on the condition that he paid his own way. He started 9 of 11 contests, missing the season finale vs. Louisville due to a pinched nerve in his neck. Anderson rushed only 23 times for 78 yards (3.4 avg) and hauled in 14 passes for 101 yards (7.2 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. He also recorded nine tackles (five solo).

In 47 games at Connecticut, Anderson started 23 times. He carried 114 times for 420 yards (3.7 avg) and one touchdown. He had 48 receptions for 394 yards (8.2 avg) and three scores, adding 12 yards on one kickoff return. He also recorded 40 tackles (21 solos).

Positives: Has very good muscle mass throughout his frame. He has a thick chest, broad shoulders, good bubble, thick thighs and calves … Has natural hands to secure the ball outside his frame and good balance as a runner and blocker, keeping his pads low and feet churning to push the pile … Is a quick study with good intelligence and field vision, as he takes plays from the chalkboard to the field with no problem and shows good instincts to pick up the stunts and blitzes … Tough, physical blocker who will not hesitate to sacrifice his body to make a play … Determined special-teams gunner who shows urgency getting down the field to make the tackle … Takes on a different persona when he steps on the field and plays until the whistle … Shows adequate initial quickness out of his stance … Has a quick short-area burst and does a good job keeping his balance while clearing out the rush lane … Hits the hole at a low pad level and with good strength, using his leg drive to break tackles and his strong upper frame to power through trash … Has good vision picking the creases between the tackles, but needs to pick and slide with better urgency … Best served using his power to break tackles rather than attempt to elude … His power is evident in his ability to punish defenders and push the pile … Consistently keeps his feet moving and does a good job of keeping his pad level down … Shows good movement on contact and works hard to finish his runs … Natural hands catcher, but has been limited to screens and dump-offs … Does a good job of adjusting to the ball in flight, but lacks the leaping ability to compete for it at its high point … Punishing drive blocker whose overall strength and hand punch lets him sustain the rush lanes … Excellent wedge-buster who plays with good urgency … Plays on all the coverage and return units and has the wrap-up tackling technique to not only stop the returner, but also the upper-body strength to create turnovers … Times his hits properly and could eventually make a decent linebacker candidate because of his tackling form.

Negatives: Dropped close to 15 pounds of excess weight during the 2006 offseason, but needs to be more conscious of his eating habits, as the additional bulk has caused stamina and speed problems in the past … Has decent straight-line quickness, but appears too stiff in his hips to generate good change-of-direction agility … Tends to lose body control blocking in space though, as he will lunge and dive at defenders rather than take good angles … Has had several off-the-field issues that could have been the result of a medical condition that he was diagnosed as having back in March 2006 and needs to be monitored … Will get too narrow in his stride when blocking in space … Has good short-area speed, but lacks the second gear to clear past the second level … Tends to lose balance when having to run distances and is best served as a lead blocker or short-yardage runner … Has some burst through the holes, but is inconsistent building to top speed and struggles to open his hips in attempts to redirect and bounce outside … Stays low in his pads and has a strong base to sustain the holes, but will lose balance in space, as he gets too narrow in his base and fails to take good angles in pursuit … Is a liability carrying the ball on the perimeter, as he is a one-cut runner with minimal hip shake and tends to get too erect in his stance when having to run long distances … Fluid in his stride, but doesn't do a good job of selling defenders in his route break point … Needs to demonstrate better route concepts and stop rounding his cuts … Doesn't have good balance in his kick-slide and likes to try and chip rather than punish … Keeps his pads low to generate movement through the holes, but needs to be more explosive extending his arms to lock on and sustain in pass protection.

Compares To: JAMEEL COOK, Houston Texans (Illinois) … Anderson is a physical drive blocker, but limited in pass protection and has minimal value as a running back. He is a decent short-area receiver, but his special-teams play is reminiscent to the Saints' Fred McAfee, as he excels flying down field to break up the wedge. He could make a nice living on special teams, but on offense, his contributions will be limited to short-area blocking in the ground game.

Originally recruited to play linebacker, Anderson has shown excellent tackling ability, as he led the team in special-teams tackles in each of his four seasons, finishing his career with 40 hits (21 solos) … Fumbled only three times on 162 touches of the ball (114 runs, 48 catches).

Anderson was the recipient of the team's Most Valuable Player Award, given 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 the performance of all around him … Anderson played in the team's first 11 games, missing the season finale vs. Louisville with a pinched nerve in his neck … He started nine times, producing 78 yards on 23 carries (3.4-yard average) … He caught 14 passes for 101 yards (7.2 avg) and a pair of touchdowns, adding nine tackles (five solo) on while appearing on the punt-return coverage and kickoff-return coverage units.

Rhode Island … Anderson opened the season with seven yards on three carries … He tackled Raji El-Amin after a 16-yard return of the game's opening kickoff and leveled defensive end Dana Hart to spring tailback Terry Caulley for a 1-yard scoring run at the start of the second quarter … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#5 T.L. Brantley -- Seven tackles (three solo).

Wake Forest … Anderson ran three times for five yards and caught four passes for 46 yards … His 16-yard reception early in the first quarter was downed at the WF 9 and on the next play, he leveled safety Josh Gattis to kill the blitz and give QB D.J. Hernandez time to throw a 6-yard touchdown to Brandon Young … Anderson added a nine-yard catch and then took down linebacker Aaron Curry on the next play to clear the way for a 15-yard scoring burst by Lou Allen that ended an 11-play, 63-yard drive in the second quarter … Talking about the loss after the game, Anderson told reporters, "This is a wake-up call. When Coach says play every play like it's the last play, we didn't do that today. That's basically it. We didn't finish today. We executed, but there were minor setbacks. We could have maximized on them. There were opportunities and points out there that we just left on the field." … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#40 Dan Caldwell -- No tackles.

Indiana … Anderson had only one rushing attempt for three yards, but upended defensive tackle Todd Newman to lead the way on a 15-yard touchdown run by Lou Allen at the start of the second half … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#51 Adam McClurg -- Nine tackles (seven solo).

Navy … The fullback totaled nine yards on two runs and 10 yards on two catches, including a four-yard touchdown that finished a 93-yard, 11-play drive in the third quarter … In an unfortunate season-long trend that continued in the contest, the Huskies were burned for a big play early in the game. On Connecticut's first possession, Anderson fumbled after a catch and Navy recovered at the UConn 42. Three plays later, Navy's Brian Hampton scampered in from the 24 to put Navy ahead 14-0 just five minutes, 20 seconds into the game … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#57 Rob Caldwell -- Eleven tackles (three solo), 1/2 stop for minus-2 yards.

South Florida … Anderson gained three yards on a rushing attempt and snared two passes for 13 yards, scoring on a 10-yard throw from QB Matt Bonislawski in the second quarter … He also tackled Tyler Roberts after the defender picked off a Bonislawski pass and returned the ball 13 yards to the UConn 15 early in the fourth quarter … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#59-Ben Moffitt -- Six tackles (four solos), 11/2 stops for minus-3 yards, one pass deflection.

Army … Came off the bench to rush for 39 yards on seven attempts … His eight- and five-yard runs in the fourth quarter were followed by a crunching block on defensive tackle Tony Fusco, as Matt Bonislawski used the hole created by Anderson to cap the 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#54 Cason Shrode -- Ten assisted tackles.

West Virginia … Anderson played in reserve, finishing with five yards on two carries and a seven-yard reception … He also assisted in tackling Vaughn Rivers on a 12-yard punt return in the first quarter … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#43-Kevin McLee-Six tackles (two solo), one stop behind the line of scrimmage, a nine-yard interception return.

Rutgers … Back in the starting lineup, Anderson responded with two rushes for four yards and three catches for 10 yards … He also leveled defensive tackle Rameel Meekins to spring Donald Brown for a 65-yard touchdown jaunt at the start of the second half … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#55 Devra Thompson -- Five tackles (two solo), 1 1/2 stops for minus-5 yards.

Pittsburgh … Anderson managed only a nine-yard reception on offense, but also took down defensive end Joe Clermond on a four-yard scoring run by Donald Brown in the second quarter … He tackled Lowell Robinson on a 19-yard kickoff return that opened the second half and stopped T.J. Porter for a three-yard loss on a kickoff return with 0:03 left to play … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#51 H.B. Blades -- Seventeen tackles (11 solo), one stop for a two-yard loss.

Syracuse … Had a six-yard reception, three yards on two carries and recorded three solo tackles … On the game's opening kickoff, he stopped Curtis Brinkley after a 14-yard return … Anderson tackled Nick Chestnut after the defender intercepted a second quarter D.J. Hernandez pass for a 16-yard return to the Connecticut 20 … In the third quarter, he smashed Bruce Williams to the ground for a one-yard loss on a punt return and Syracuse was also penalized 10 yards for an illegal block on Anderson … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#8 Kelvin Smith -- Nine tackles (3 solos).

Cincinnati … In what proved to be his final collegiate game, Anderson assisted Dan Murray in tackling Dominick Goodman on a 12-yard kickoff return that opened the second half … Head-to-Head Competition -- MLB#52 Kevin McCullough -- Seven tackles (three solo), two stops for minus-6 yards.

Louisville … Did not play in the season finale due to a pinched nerve in his neck.

Was dismissed from the team due to several off-the-field incidents … Originally told the coaching staff that he was planning to transfer, but returned to the program in January 2006 and was re-instated to the team in March on the condition that he pay his own way through school.

Played in 12 games, starting at fullback vs. Boston College, West Virginia and Rutgers … Carried the ball 22 times on the year for 99 yards (4.5-yard average) while catching 14 passes for 133 yards (9.5 avg) … Also chipped in 11 special-teams tackles (four solo) and returned a kickoff 12 yards.

Boston College … Caught three passes for 14 yards.

Army … Registered four assisted tackles and caught two passes for 18 yards.

West Virginia … Ran twice for five yards, had a nine-yard reception, made one solo tackle and knocked down defensive tackle Jeff Noechel on QB Dan Orlovsky's 17-yard touchdown pass to Keron Henry in the fourth quarter.

Temple … Added an assisted tackle and a seven-yard catch.

Buffalo … Recorded one solo tackle and rushed five times for 33 yards, adding 41 yards on a pair of catches.

Rutgers … Took down linebacker Terry Byrnes on tailback Cornell Brockington's 1-yard scoring run in the first quarter, carried seven times for a season-high 48 yards and posted two solo tackles.

Toledo (Music City Bowl) … Leveled cornerback Keon Jackson as Matt Lawrence turned the corner for an 11-yard touchdown run with 0:25 left in the game and also gained 10 yards on four runs, 10 yards on a reception and 12 yards on a kickoff return while also making one assisted tackle.

Played in every game, starting vs. Indiana, Army, Boston College, Buffalo, Lehigh and Rutgers at fullback … Collected 124 yards on 35 carries (3.5-yard average) and caught 15 passes for 148 yards (9.9 avg) and one touchdown … Also led the team with 11 special-teams tackles (five solo).

2003 GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Indiana … Had two assisted tackles, a nine-yard reception and 14 yards on three rushes … Also leveled defensive tackle Kenny Kendal on a 43-yard scoring burst by tailback Terry Caulley in the fourth quarter.

Army … Had two tackles, two carries for two yards and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from QB Dan Orlovsky in the second quarter.

Boston College … Caught two passes for 21 yards and gained 9 yards on two runs.

Buffalo … Caught an eight-yard pass, made one solo tackle and ran for a four-yard gain … Also upended safety Mark Graham while leading the way on Terry Caulley's 3-yard scoring run in the second quarter that capped a nine-play, 79-yard drive.

Virginia Tech … Totaled 26 yards on four carries and five yards on two catches.

Lehigh … Ran five times for 16 yards and produced two tackles.

Kent State … Made four catches for 57 yards, but fumbled one reception that was recovered by Kent State.

Rutgers … Had a solo tackle and also stopped linebacker Brian Bender on tailback Cornell Brockington's 1-yard game-winning touchdown run with 26 seconds left in a 38-31 victory.

Wake Forest … Finished the season with 11 carries for 39 yards, a one-yard catch and a solo tackle.

Played in every game as a true freshman, starting at fullback vs. Boston College, Georgia Tech, Temple, Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic … Carried 34 times for 119 yards (3.5-yard average) and one touchdown … Made five catches for 12 yards (2.4 avg) … Was a key performer on special teams, as he registered nine tackles (seven solo).

Made his collegiate debut with a solo tackle and a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that capped a 10-play, 56-yard drive vs. Boston College … Added a solo tackle and two runs for 11 yards while also leveling linebacker Ricardo Wimbush on a 2-yard scoring toss from Keron Henry to Tommy Collins vs. Georgia Tech … Rushed five times for 34 yards and gained 11 yards on two catches vs. Miami … Carried twice for two yards, but lost five yards when he fumbled a reception, making up for that miscue when he upended line-backer Hunter Hillenmeyer on tailback Terry Caulley's 8-yard touchdown run in the Vanderbilt clash.

2006-Sat out the season finale vs. Louisville with a pinched nerve in his neck.

Campus: 4.72 in the 40-yard dash … 403-pound bench press … 600-pound squat … 317-pound power clean … 28.5-inch vertical jump … 30 3/4-inch arm length … 9 3/8-inch hands … Left-handed … 27/31 Wonderlic score.

Had several off-the-field issues that eventually led to his dismissal in 2005. He was charged with exposing himself in public, had a dorm incident with a girl, another dorm issue where he was kicked out of housing for fighting with another student (stated he was defending a teammate) and was ordered to meet with a psychiatrist and probation officer once a month in 2005.

Attended Avon (Ct.) Old Farms Prep School in 2001, playing football for head coach Kevin Driscoll … Spent his earlier prep days at Hope (Providence, R.I.) High School, where he was a standout in three sports in football, track and wrestling … Earned All-New England and All-Conference honors in football and was named the team's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year … Was an All-American wrestler, earning state and New England titles as a junior … Also finished fourth in the shot put in the New England track finals.

Psychology major … Born Deon Terry Anderson on 1/27/83 … Resides in Providence, Rhode Island.