:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57907089/usa_today_10266654.0.jpg)
True freshman Jack Anderson hails from Frisco, Texas and is heralded as the best or one of the best recruits that Texas Tech was able to snag in 2017. He was 52nd on ESPN top 300 recruits and chose Tech over some big-name programs such as Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and powerhouse Alabama just to name a few. He committed rather early in his sophomore season and was one of Kliff Kingsbury’s biggest recruits of his tenure in Lubbock. Now, without further ado, at number 14 is:
14. Jack Anderson, OL (Preseason Rank: 14)
2017 Performance
Anderson has been a rock at that right guard position for the Red Raiders this season. Starting in all 12 games as a freshman is alone an impressive feat but earning some accolades along the way really helped Anderson to a successful season. In week 7, Anderson was named to Pro Football Focus’s Week 7 National Team of the Week.
PFF Week 7 - National Team of the Week - Offense pic.twitter.com/SJ75vf9Wfg
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) October 18, 2017
Although Anderson didn’t collect any Big 12 awards this year, he was one of the bright spots on an offense that couldn’t get much going in Big 12 play this year. The fact that Anderson didn’t make any Big 12 awards lists this year baffles me as he was one of the anchors of that offensive line and will be for years to come.
The only other award that Anderson accumulated throughout the year was in Week 12 when Anderson was named to the Pro Football Focus’s Big 12 offensive team of the week. Anderson was part of a much improved offensive line that helped running backs rush for 200 more yards and gave up 4 fewer sacks this year than last year. This group could be special next year as all 5 starters are returning.
“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” John Wooden pic.twitter.com/VQHTZWaUdd
— Brandon Jones (@CoachJonesB) November 27, 2017
2018 Outlook
Anderson will most definitely be returning to Lubbock next year and he’ll anchor an offensive line returning all five starters and will be one of the best position groups that Tech will bring next season. Look for the group as a whole to continue to improve in the run game and also give whoever starts at quarterback next season a nice, clean pocket to throw from. Another year in the weight room and another off-season with his teammates and coaches will definitely give Anderson room to grow and become one of the best offensive linemen in Texas Tech history.