Range: Running the alley with authority, Anderson makes no qualms about filling in the run game, quickly maneuvering into the box. In coverage, though, it’s more of a mixed bag for Anderson, who is a tick slow closing from depth in deeper zones. In shorter zones, Anderson shows closing speed ability to be an effective low-hole, near the line of scrimmage type of player.
Versatility: Played all over the field, from slot/nickel, to an extra player on the edge, and aligning both as a dual high and single high safety. His most effective spot in college was aligning near the line of scrimmage, as a combo nickel and extra backer type of player.
Man Coverage: A physical player at the line of scrimmage, Anderson has enough speed to turn and run with slot receivers, but struggles changing direction fluidly on out breaking routes especially. Can turn and flip his hips without breaking stride, but his technique and footwork must improve for long term success as a slot defender. Length allows him to play through receiver’s hands, but he struggles turning and locating the football in man coverage situations.
Zone Coverage: Anderson is much more effective in shorter zones, covering the curl to flat especially. When the ball is in front of him, Anderson can click and close quickly, often getting to his depth and not covering empty grass. In deeper zones, Anderson shows some discomfort transitioning from his back pedal to closing, giving up after catch, reacting a tick slowly.
Football IQ: Very smart football player who seemed to call coverages in the backend. Called out plays before they happened, got underneath run plays and screens beautifully and played a variety roles in a complicated defense. Not to mention being an effective special teams player with over 700 total snaps across various special team units.
Tackling: When he works inside-out, Anderson does a nice job getting his man on the ground. He wraps up and shows excellent form breaking down and not leaving his feet to make a tackle. Will sometimes take poor angles working from in the box to perimeter routes, must clean that up but far from a liability as a tackler.
Run Support: Love his willingness and tenacity to work inside the box and fill the alley from depth in the run game. Does a great job setting the edge lining up just outside of the box, turning the ball back into his defenders. Needs to come to balance better at times but overall, an asset for a team defending the run.
Ball Skills: For his versatility and raw ability, Anderson does not have much ball production in his career. With only two interceptions in his early years at Toledo, Anderson leaves a lot to be desired in terms of taking the ball away. While the sample size is large and it won’t deter him from being selected in the draft, you would like to see more from the department from a player used in a hybrid position.
Change of Direction: Some stiffness in his hips working against out breaking routes, but Anderson has no trouble planting his foot in the ground and pursuing the football. Shows hip fluidity working in short area zones and flexibility in lower half to turn the corner on the backside pursuit of a run play.
Physicality: Plays a physical brand of football and often gets hands on in man coverage situations. Violently disengages blockers and blows up screens as a point man in man coverage.
Summary: After spending five seasons with the Toledo Rockets, Tycen Anderson has the skillset, body type and natural straight line speed to play multiple positions in his career at the NFL level. Boasting over 700 total snaps on various special teams units, Anderson has an immediate floor of becoming a special teams ace, that will translate him to seeing the field early on in his career. Aligning as a DIME backer, split-safety, single high safety, and nickel in college, Anderson best projects as a low hole safety, with the upside of becoming a full-time nickel. His ability to fill the alley from depth, plus his straight line speed makes him an intriguing Day 3 developmental safety option. While he still has work to do to improve his eye discipline in deeper zones, and refine his man coverage technique, Anderson is a player that can be molded into almost any position in the secondary, and has the chance to be the second or third player from the MAC conference selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Filed By: Devin Jackson, MAC Area Scout
Twitter: @RealD_Jackson