Richy Anderson knows what it means to be a Nittany Lion and what it takes to contribute to a team's success. Anderson was among four Nittany Lions who graduated from high school early and enrolled in classes in January 2013, greatly assisting their transition to the academic and athletic rigors of a Big Ten football program. An all-met running back at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Anderson demonstrated in spring practice that he can be a versatile player. He has good quickness and athleticism and will add playmaking ability to the receiving corps and potentially on the special teams. Anderson's father, Richie, is among the Nittany Lions' Top 20 career rushers and played running back 12 years in the NFL before embarking on a coaching career. Richy Anderson is among 12 returning Nittany Lions that hail from the state of Maryland.
High School
Anderson was selected first-team all-area and second-team all-met as a senior at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. He earned four varsity letters and was a two-year football team captain. Playing for Coach Ben Wright, Anderson produced more than 1,700 yards of offense and 15 touchdowns as a junior, helping the Patriots to the Class 3A state championship game. A running back, he was selected first-team all-area and honorable-mention all-state as a junior. After his senior season, Anderson was invited to play in the Big 33 Classic, the Chesapeake Bowl and the Maryland Crab Bowl. He also played basketball and was a member of the track and field team. Anderson was a four-year honor roll student.
Personal
Full name is Richard D. Anderson II. He is the son of former Nittany Lion great and NFL running back Richie Anderson and Kathy Alfaro, and has one younger brother, Reggie. Richie Anderson is the running backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He ranks 18th on the Penn State career rushing list with 1,756 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. He was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 1993 NFL Draft and played with the Jets from 1993-2002 and with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003-04. He caught 400 passes for 3,149 yards and ran for 1,274 yards during his 12-year NFL career. Richy Anderson enjoys reading and fishing. He plans on majoring in crime, law and justice and is interested in a career in the FBI or as a parole officer. Born January 1, 1995 in Olney, Md.
