UCF rises to the top for Jacksonville RB
Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian running back Otis Anderson was excited when he got word last week that UCF was extending a scholarship offer. He got even more excited when he realized he'd finally be able to make his long-awaited visit a couple days later since Saturday was the day of the Orlando Rivals Camp.
"I've been talking to Coach (Sean) Beckton since last spring," Anderson said. "He's been trying to get me to campus for a while. I've been doing track and football so I've never really had the time. When I picked up the offer, I realized I was going to be in Orlando anyway."
As for the first item on Saturday's agenda, Anderson felt like he "put on a show" at the Rivals Camp which was held at West Orange High School.
"I'm going to get my fourth star," he said. "I won most of my one-on-ones. It went really well."
From there, Anderson and his parents headed to East Orlando. He was one of two V.I.P. visitors at UCF that day, the other being Tallahassee's Michael Scott.
"As soon as we got there the coaches were waiting for me outside," Anderson said. "They greeted my parents and treated me like I was already part of the family. That earned major points with me. I sat and talked to the offensive coordinator (Troy Walters) for about 30 minutes about the offense and how they'll use me and why they're so excited to offer me. They said they really like the way I can make people miss in the open field and they like my speed. That's what they're trying to build. They have a couple recruits coming in that's really going to help the offense.
"He showed me the stats of the offense and how it will produce numbers, where it ranks against other teams. (Walters) told me he wants me to be able to play receiver, slot and running back, so when I come into the game they won't know what I'll be coming in as. They said they thought of (former Oregon star) De'Anthony Thomas when they saw my highlights."
Even though he was out of town, head coach Scott Frost still made sure to check in.
"I talked to him on Coach (Erik) Chinander's phone," Anderson said. "He said they're very excited about me and are glad they extended the offer. They're just all showing a lot of love."
Early favorites include UCF, Virginia, East Carolina, FAU, Iowa State and Colorado State.
"After the UCF visit I would say UCF is No. 1," Anderson said. "I don't think I'll be making a decision until after my official visits, it could be next January or National Signing Day. But based on that visit UCF would be No. 1 right now."
The primary reason he feels that way is because of the coaches.
"It feels like I'm part of the family," Anderson said. "After I got offered, the running backs coach (Ryan Held) hit me up on Twitter and said he just wants to stay in touch. He told me any time I'm in Orlando to come on by and hang out with him. It's just a great relationship with all the coaches. When I first pulled up, it seemed like we've known each other all my life. The conversations were just rolling off the tongue. The coaches are really tight too. Coach Frost and Coach Held actually play cornhole every day in the trophy room inside the stadium. They're all very competitive.
"They have high expectations for the program too. I know they had a losing season, but that's going to change around with Frost and his offense. Now they're accepting quicker and more agile guys. It's close to home. It's basically all you can ask for. The dorms are perfect. It's really a great place."
Anderson knows one UCF player - cornerback D.J. Killings, who attended Jacksonville First Coast.
"I played Pop Warner with his little brother," he said.
Spring visits are also possible to FAU and ECU. As for UCF, he won't even wait until spring practice to return.
"I'm coming back down on Friday," Anderson said. "I have a track meet at the First Academy on Saturday. I should be able to sit down with Coach Frost on Friday."
Jacksonville University Christian won Florida's Class 2A State Championship in 2015.
"I believe I had a pretty good season," Anderson said. "I always want more because I'm an overachiever. I had a backfield mate (Hussein Howe) and we split the carries. I had 107 carries for more than 1,000 rushing yards. I ended up getting second team All-State and first team All-District."
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