Trevor Anderson: Against All Odds

Nov. 10, 2009

By Jessica Taylor, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant

After deciding to transfer to Michigan State University in 2007, senior defensive end Trevor Anderson knew his choice wouldn't be without adversity. He faced a seemingly impossible challenge, and it wasn't on the football field.

With not all of his classes transferring from the University of Cincinnati, Anderson completed an astonishing 48 credit hours in one academic calendar year - 19 in the fall, 18 in the spring and 11 in the summer - to be eligible to play for the Spartans in 2008. Full-time status at Michigan State is 12 credits a semester. Anderson doubled the minimum amount of credits in order to be a Spartan.

"I had some courses that I had to take that were pretty overwhelming," Anderson said of this academic hindrance. "They told me I had so many credits I had to take within a year to be eligible for the next season. I was kind of down about it, but Coach Dino Folino (MSU's director of personnel and player development) pulled me to the side and told me to go to class and take advantage of the tutors and resources MSU has to offer."

Anderson took his advice and went for it. Against all odds, and contrary to what many thought would happen, he completed the required amount of credits and was granted eligibility, a moment Anderson will not soon forget.

"After I found out I had to take all those credits, I had a lot of doubters," admitted Anderson, who is a criminal justice major. "When I saw the credits were completed, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders and I could just go out there and be with my teammates."

Whether you call them doubters like Anderson, cynics or pessimists, Anderson welcomes their criticism and thrives on the motivation they bring to him and his game.

"When I was in eighth grade, I told one of my friends that I was going to play football," said Anderson, recalling a memory that has stuck with him. "I said that I might not have the best grades but I'm going to do whatever I have to do to play in college. The first thing he said to me was that I wasn't going to be able to do it and that I was going to end up staying home with him. All I could think was, `I can't be like that.' My motivation comes from all the doubters saying I couldn't do it."

Wherever his motivation stems from, it certainly has shown through when Anderson hits the field. As a junior and first-year starter, he led the team and ranked sixth in the Big Ten with eight sacks and saw action in all 13 contests, which included 10 starts at defensive end.

He entered 2009 on the preseason watch list for the Hendricks Award, which is presented to the nation's top defensive end, and hasn't disappointed. Anderson leads all Spartan defensive linemen with 37 tackles, including five for losses and 2.5 sacks.

Although Anderson is aware of his own success, it is clear when talking to him, he rarely, if ever, puts himself first.

Over the summer, Anderson had the opportunity to attend a special skills camp for defensive linemen and linebackers where he could fine tune his game with other top players from around the nation. However, Anderson opted to stay at MSU and practice with the team.

"It would have been good for me to go and be around other players who had my same skill set, but I didn't want any of my teammates to think that I thought I was better than them and that I was leaving them behind," Anderson said of his decision. "I really don't care about all of the stats. I just try to be a team player."

Instead of attending the camp, Anderson helped other teammates work on their game because he knew it would be more beneficial for the team. He looked things up online so he could help anyone out who wanted it and according to him, staying helped with the team camaraderie and chemistry, something he would not change for anything. Some of the coaches have even referred to Anderson as "an extra coach on the field."

Anderson has had the opportunity to develop strong ties with the coaches as he came to MSU along with head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff. However, he makes it clear that following the coaching staff was not the sole reason he made the transfer from Cincinnati to MSU.

"It was more like `I'm coming home' and it gave me a chance to be closer to my family," said Anderson. "My family has been able to see me play a lot more here. I'm fortunate for them to be able to see me play as much as they do. It was definitely a huge plus, though, to have the same staff. They have been great with me.

"I'm pretty close with (defensive line) Coach (Ted) Gill," Anderson continued. "He says stuff to me that he would say to his grandchildren and you just know you can't say anything back to him. I view him as a grandfather figure. He is honest and straight-forward and he will fight for you. He really sticks up for his players on and off the field. The same thing can be said about Coach D. There are not too many head coaches that have an open door policy where you can talk to them about what's really going on, besides football."

Anderson's motivation has helped make the Michigan State football program what it is today. Whether it shows through his strength and skill on the field, or his ability to lead and help coach the team, he has proven that hard work, ambition and the drive to prove people wrong really does pay off.

"Sometimes, it puts pressure on you where you have to try to be perfect," he said. "But it also let's you know that other players really look up to you. I always thought, `Just stay with it.' If you have a goal in mind, don't let anyone stop you. If you stay focused and keep grinding, you'll get there. I earned the team's respect and no one wants to be given anything. You have to earn it, especially here."

GETTING TO KNOW Trevor Anderson

Food: "My mom's macaroni and cheese. It's the best - period."
Travel: Italy or Aruba: "Aruba because it sounds exotic and Italy because I want real Italian food."
Musical Artist: Jay-Z
Favorite Activity: Facebook and video games.
Hidden Talent: "I have really good handwriting."
After College: "Maybe the NFL. If not, anything in the federal government. Homeland security or something like that. Anything within federal agency or law enforcement."

This feature was originally published in the Nov. 7 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.