2022 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LB Troy Andersen, Montana State

Montana State's Troy Andersen is a Swiss army knife type of player. Where does he best fit in?

Nick Falato | Feb 17, 2022

In this story:

Montana State Bobcats

Troy Andersen, LB

Height: 6’3
Weight: 242 lbs.
Class: Senior
School: Montana State
Arm Length: 32 1/4″
Wingspan: 77 5/8″
Hand: 9 3/8″

A productive high school quarterback who was a top safety at Beaverhead County High School in Montana, Andersen was not widely recruited, so he attended an FCS program and was a big fish in a small pond.

Andersen was insanely versatile at the FCS level; he was the top defensive player in his conference and played quarterback and running back throughout college, albeit that is very unlikely at the next level.

Notables

He was the Big Sky Freshman of the Year; he started games at both linebacker and running back. He had a productive 2018 season as a quarterback--he finished first-team All-Big Sky as a quarterback while breaking school rushing records. He had 21 rushing touchdowns in 2018 and a yards-per-carry average of 6.85; both are single-season school records. With limited time as a running back/quarterback, Andersen ranks ninth in rushing yards through Montana State’s school history.

He recorded 150 tackles in 2021 and won Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He was a unanimous All-American and earned a trip to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he was very impressive as a linebacker. Andersen was the National Team’s top linebacker at the event. Andersen finished 2021 with 14 tackles for a loss, seven passes defended, and two interceptions.

Strengths

Excellent size for a linebacker
Long arms to close throwing windows and hold off blocks
Size coupled with movement skills are impressive
Changes direction well
Explosive athlete with a quick trigger
Start/stop to head downhill and fill is great
Lateral movement skills to scrape over the top of trash is excellent
Good pursuit angles outside
Solid job using length to keep chest clean off combo blocks
Physical tackler with wide tackle radius
Quick acceleration helps his blitzing ability downhill
Solid spatial awareness in zone coverage
Showed very good recovery and man coverage skills at the senior bowl
Has potential to be three-down linebacker
Won’t be subbed out during passing situation
Heralded for his competitive toughness and leadership
Wore many hats in college (quarterback, running back, linebacker)

View all of Nick Falato's draft prospect profiles right here / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Can Improve

Is still raw and lacks experience at linebacker
The jump to the NFL is significant, albeit Andersen proved worthy at Senior Bowl against top competition
Can improve technically with stacking & shedding blocks in the box
Instinctual improvement should materialize with more reps under his belt
Could over pursue on his run keys and needs to be more disciplined with his eyes

Summary

Troy Andersen was a dominant college football player at the FCS level. He impressed many at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and proved he can be a quality asset at the next level.

Andersen has the desired size, athletic ability, and leadership to potentially be a starter in the NFL. He has the coverage skills to play SAM, the pursuit to be a WILL, and, if he develops a bit more, he could be a MIKE in the NFL.

He won’t have to be substituted during passing situations; he is raw and needs to develop, but he is a very interesting player who could be selected on day two.

GRADE: 6.2