Otis Lee Anderson Jr. (November 12, 1998November 29, 2021) was an American football running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

UCF The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university whose main campus is in unincorporated Orange County, Florida. UCF also has nine smaller regional campuses throughout central Florida. It is part of the State University ...

and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Not signed to a roster spot ahead of the 2021 season, Anderson received national attention after he was shot and killed by his father the same year.

College career

Anderson attended University Christian School in Jacksonville, Florida and the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he played

for the

Knights A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

. Regarded as a

utility player In sports, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently. Sports in which the term is often used include association football, American football, baseball, rugby union, rugby league, softball, ice hockey, and water polo. The ...

, he was utilized as a running back, wide receiver, and return specialist. He’s second all-time at UCF with yards per carry. He ranks ninth of all-time at UCF with 2,182 career rushing yards. His 3,708 all-purpose yards rank eighth all-time at UCF. He also has 27 total touchdowns; he ranks eighth in the record books.

Professional career

After not being selected in the

2021 NFL Draft The 2021 NFL Draft was the 86th National Football League Draft, the annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players for the 2021 NFL season. The draft was held in Cleveland from April 29 to May 1, 2021 ...

, Anderson signed with the

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The Rams play ...

as an undrafted free agent. The Rams cut him following training camp. He signed to the team's

practice squad In sports, the practice squad, also called the taxi squad or practice roster, is a group of players signed by a team but not part of their main roster. Frequently used in gridiron football, they serve as extra players during the team's practices, ...

on September 1, 2021, and was released on September 20.

Death

Anderson was shot and killed by his father, Otis Lee Anderson Sr., in a domestic disturbance on November 29, 2021.

References

External links

Los Angeles Rams bio

UCF Knights football bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Otis 1998 births 2021 deaths Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida American football running backs UCF Knights football players Los Angeles Rams players Deaths by firearm in Florida