News

McGill's Anderson invited to NFL's Indianapolis Colts rookie camp

Published: 5 May 2012

 

INDIANAPOLIS -- McGill place-kicker Austin Anderson, son of former NFL kicker Gary Anderson, has been invited to participate in the Indianapolis Colts' three-day rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis this weekend. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said Friday morning that Anderson will get a look-see this weekend and that the team would consider signing him as a free-agent for the team's main training camp,

 

Anderson is the fourth member of the Redmen to receive a tryout with an NFL team. Others to achieve that milestone include Michael Soles (Pittsburgh, 1988), J.P. Darche (Seattle, 2000; Kansas City, 2007) and Randy Chevrier (Jacksonville, Dallas and Cincinnati, 2001).

 

The 23-year-old native of Canmore, Alta., is a four-time Academic All-Canadian and will graduate in June with a management degree, majoring in finance. A 5-foot-10, 180-pound kicker, he ranks third among McGill's all-time leaders in field-goals made with 39 in 29 career contests. He has a lifetime FG success rate of 76.5 per cent (39-for-51), including an 11-for-17 performance from a range of 40 to 49 yards.

 

He went 5-for-5 in his first career game with the Redmen and was named a conference all-star as a sophomore, but his biggest game came in his junior year against Concordia. Anderson connected on 6-of-8 field goals – three kicks were from over 40 yards – including a career high 48-yarder. That performance, on Sept. 17, 2020, tied the school's single-game record for most field goals made. His longest placekick at the CIS level was a 49-yarder at Bishop's, Sept. 11, 2010. In his senior year, he won the conference nomination for the Russ Jackson Trophy, which goes to the CIS player who best combines academics and citizenship.

 

“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity,” Anderson told Indystar.com after the first practice on Friday. “If it goes well and they like what they see, hopefully I can be invited back for training camp.”

 

Realistically, Anderson would have to beat out all-star Adam Vinatieri to make the 53-man roster. But Pagano said he’s happy to have another Anderson on board.

 

“I told him this morning and I enjoyed watching his dad kick for all of those years,” Pagano said on Friday. “That was a pleasure.”

 

A COMLETE PROFILE OF AUSTIN ANDERSON CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT:

https://www.mcgill.ca/athletics/varsitysports/athletes/profiles/view/?id=425

 

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012

 

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