Story by Gage Johnson
gjohnson17@murraystate.edu
Senior writer
After an intense preseason battle for the starting quarterback position, it was the newly transferred senior Drew Anderson who came out on top.
Straight out of Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, Anderson began his collegiate career as a walk-on at San Diego State University. He moved on to play at Diablo Valley College for two years of Junior College football. Following his stint there, he found a home at the University of Buffalo. There, Anderson set the school’s single-game record for passing yards and touchdowns in a game against Western Michigan where he recorded seven touchdowns and 597 yards.
Though he played just five games for Buffalo, Anderson tallied 1,039 yards and added 10 touchdowns before he ultimately decided to transfer in May for his final year of eligibility.
“Coach Stewart had actually messaged me on Twitter a little before I had decided I even wanted to go anywhere,” Anderson said. “I messaged him back and I was talking to some other schools. Then I came down here for a visit, met with the coaches and thought it would be a good fit.”
According to Anderson, the relationship he quickly formed with the coaches and his familiarity with the offensive game plan were the deciding factors in choosing to become a Racer.
“Just coming to talk to the coaches and talking football,” Anderson said. “After finding out what they were doing on offense, I felt like it would be a good fit.”
Being able to watch Anderson online and receive feedback from his coaching connections helped persuade Stewart to take interest in the transfer quarterback.
“We found him through some Cali connections that my offensive line coach had,” Head Coach Mitch Stewart said. “When he put all his stuff in and got his release, they called us and said ‘Hey, we’ve got someone who’s looking to transfer; are you interested?”
First impressions are crucial to any collegiate coach, and Anderson made a good one.
“To be that size and move his feet pretty well for that size, and then not only can he make the big throws he can make some touch throws and get it out of his hands quick, those were the two things that stood out to me,” Stewart said.
With one game under Anderson’s belt as the starting quarterback, Stewart said he wants to see progress from Anderson as the leader of the offense.