Troy Andersen LB Montana State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Troy Andersen LB Montana State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/21/2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.42 seconds (98%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 25.2 DOB: 04/23/1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |
| Last Updated: 02/21/2022 | |
| Draft Year: 2022 | |
| 40 time: 4.42 seconds (98%*) | |
| Age: 25.2 DOB: 04/23/1999 | |
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| NFL Combine & Pro-Day Results |
| Overall Rating: | 82.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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70% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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83% |
| Pass Rush: |
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91% |
| Run Defense: |
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87% |
| Coverage: |
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94% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#101
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 26 College Snaps: 1319 | ||
Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 58 (ATL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Troy Andersen had a 4.0-grade point average throughout high school, earned Academic All-State honors, and was the class Valedictorian. At Dillon HIgh, he also passed for 1,403 yards, rushed for 877, and accounted for 30 total touchdowns. On defense, he posted 71 tackles with three interceptions and recovered two fumbles - he also ran track and played basketball.He was recruited to Montana State as a running back but showed promise on the defensive side of the ball. As a freshman, Andersen gained 515 yards on the ground, third-best on the team, and third-most all-time among MSU freshmen. He also played sparingly at linebacker.
He was awarded the Big Sky Freshman of the Year as a result of an impressive year at running back.
In 2018 as a Sophomore Andersen won the starting role as a dual-threat QB. He went 115 - 208 passing with 1195 YDs with 3 TDs and 7 picks and also put up outstanding rushing numbers in running for 1412 YDs on 206 carries with 21 TDs - which made him an easy selection for MSU’s first First Team All-Big Sky quarterback spot.
In 2019 after looking ahead to an eventual pro career Andersen decided that a position change to linebacker would increase his eventual chances of being drafted. It didn't take long for this decision to pay off and while playing in 10 games he logged 11.5 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks, intercepted a pass and broke up five others, and added 10 total QB hurries on the season. He earned First Team All-America honors and was named First Team All-Big Sky at linebacker at season's end.
After the 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic he had his best year yet in 2021 where while playing on 859 snaps he recorded 150 tackles - 5th-most in a season in school history, 14 QB pressures, three sacks, and an impressive 65.2 QB rating when targetted in coverage (on 42 targets). At the end of the season, he received the justified accolade of FCS ADA National Defensive Player of the Year and was also awarded with a spot at the Senior Bowl, where he impressed during the whole week of practices.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Has ideal size-height-speed-quickness combination for a middle/inside linebacker in the pros
- Athletic player with speed - highlighted by his high school state track titles in both class A 100 meters and 200 meters
- In coverage is able to stay with tight ends and bigger receivers on crossing routes
- Combination of size, length, and agility makes him a secure tackler in space. Could succeed as a free blitzer
- Very good as a short to intermediate coverage player in a zone scheme - will dominate the middle of the field
- Shows a burst to close. Flashes explosive hitting ability and good lateral and downfield pursuit.
- In run defense he is able to knife through blockers and blow plays up in the backfield as well as patrol laterally and finish with a big hit
- Does a nice job locating the ball and sticking with the play while working off blocks. Physical finisher.
- Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers.
- Reads the quarterback to anticipate and is a candidate to play outside
- Flashes closing speed and agility to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle before they can escape.
- Excellent in coverage - has had some experience at safety and it shows. Stays with tight ends and receivers in the slot with very good straight-line speed and change-of-direction ability for his size.
- Super smart and a great leader on the field
- Complete three-down LB who does everything well enough
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- The obvious issue with Andersen is his lack of experience at LB - has only played two full years at the position
- Playing in FCS will mean the NFL is a massive step up for him
- Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks he must learn to defeat with his hands
- Has the speed and coverage skills to play SAM, WILL but will likely need to bulk up to be an impact MIKE at the next level
- Has knee surgery on an injury suffered in 2019 and will need evaluating for any long term impact
- Sometimes can be overpowered in traffic - could do with getting stronger
- Limited vision and is easily fooled by misdirection and need to improve reading blocking techniques and taking better angles to the ball carrier
- Plays a little upright at times and this affects his balance at the POA
Scouting Report: Summary
Since the Senior Bowl Anderson's stock has been skyrocketing - with teams finally taking notice of a player who prior to the 2021 season was looked at as a UDFA level prospect.He has an impressive set of skills - is a solid tackler, good as a pass rusher, and elite as a short area coverage player. He however has only played two years of full-time defensive football - as he split time between RB and QB - and the time he has logged has been played against FCS level competition. The transition to the pros might well be a shock for him.
Overall we consider Andersen to be a very good pro prospect who is a swiss army knife type player who potentially could play almost anywhere on the defense (even on the offense for that matter!) and as a result, we could see him being selected as high as the fourth round - although due to him playing a non-premium position (ILB) first he'll probably hear his name called a little later in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Troy Andersen percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Troy Andersen (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
78.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.