Interview: 4-Star 2022 Tennessee OT Fisher Anderson is a Monster in the Making
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The horror genre in Hollywood is missing out. Few scary movies cover the ascension of said person to the point of being a “monster”, but just jump right to that moment missing out on the fascinating intricate details of growth along the way. For fans of Franklin High School football, they are getting to see a monster in the making game after game with Class of 2022 left tackle Fisher Anderson.
Anderson began his rise from the depths of the Rebels’ roster as a scary presence on gridirons in Tennessee during the 2018 season. Initially, Anderson was playing in the second half of games before starting the final quarter of the schedule. When the 2019 season kicked off, Anderson had his own version of the Monster Mash using his 6-7, 275-pound, frame to piledrive defenders into the ground moving them at will. Anderson earned 6A All-Region honors as a sophomore while also being tagged a four-star recruit. The beast within has been recognized by 17 college football programs to date with more interested in this colossal talent.
In an RNG first-look, Anderson steps into the RNG Lab covering all the aspects that makes him a dangerous sort to deal with on the field.
Interview
Fisher, when the opportunity presented itself last season, you did a great job of finishing plays with a “bury them” mentality. How have you developed that nasty streak in the trenches over time?
“From athletics, in all sports not just football. I never thought I would be able to play football in college until my freshman year. In elementary, I played every sport, track and field, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. Wrestling helps a lot with football. All the other sports prepared me for my freshman year of football. I unbeknownst to me, I was getting recruiting interest then. Now I am trying to fulfill that role.”
Kind of answered this already, but I will go and ask it anyway. Your quick feet helps you with pass blocking and with getting out on screens. Have you developed your speed playing other sports like basketball?
“Yeah for sure. Basketball helped me a lot. My dad played at the Air Force Academy. I was raised playing basketball, I thought I would play it in college. But I am not that good in basketball. When freshman season came around for football, I pushed myself to the limits. I did stuff that I did not think I could do getting college interest.”
How fast are you? Have you been timed in a 40?
“Yes, sir. I know for a fact I ran one at The Opening Regional last year; that’s the only laser timed run. Recently, I ran a 5.58.”
How did your game improve as a run blocker last season?
“The technique stuff was getting better. Working with NPA, National Playmakers Academy, the work that I do against other guys in the county helps. I am getting better technique from people that have been in the league. I am getting stronger, that is a weak spot now. The goal is to continue to get stronger, more flexible, and stay low.”
What about as a pass blocker? How did that part of your game grow?
“At NPA doing one-on-ones and at college camps, I am humbled by the talent around me. It is a skewed game without pads and no one around you, also the QB cannot move; those are my excuses. You don’t win a lot of them unless you are made for pass blocking. Competing in one-on-ones makes me realize that I can get better. In games against county teams, you don’t face many kids that are college bound athletes. Like only five percent at the high school level play in college. Going against kids in high school, I feel like I am an insane pass blocker. But at camps, I see how much better I can get because of the pass rushers I go against.”
The coaches got you in on some snaps on the other side of the ball in 2019. How did that experience help expand your football IQ?
“I played defensive tackle for a lack of big guys on the D-line for my team last year. I was there to take up space and to get some sacks if I can. It helped because I know how hard it is to rush. Going against my own teammates on the offensive line, I pity the guys that are getting double-teamed by them on every play. Playing defensive tackle helps expand my view on them. One sack on my reel was because of something had happened before in the game; when someone pulled out, I got the sack.”
Will you play more defensive tackle in 2020?
“I would bet on it. We have some other kids in my class that have been playing a lot of defensive tackle, I think we will rely on them. We have a senior on the offensive line, one senior and four juniors on the defensive line; we will be solid. When I am in, it will be to give someone a rest.”
Going back to offense, what have you been working on with your game this spring?
“The majority of the stuff has been strength. I am not as strong right now compared to other linemen, but I have an advantage length wise. I want to balance it out. I will continue to do technique drills from the coaches I have access to that have been to the next levels.”
Your play on the field is attracting a college crowd. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“I am receiving interest from Clemson, Stanford, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Notre Dame.”
How many offers are in-hand?
“Seventeen. I got an offer from Arizona State yesterday (Monday).”
Anderson’s Offer Sheet: Air Force, Arizona State, Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Virginia Tech
Over the last couple of months, have you had a chance to start taking any visits?
“Yes. I was blessed to get to do one. We had been waiting to go on mass recruiting trips after basketball season. I went with the twins from Summit (Destin and Keaten Wade); we were going to LSU and then to Alabama. LSU was first. On the day of that visit, the LSU coaches came out of meeting telling us that the NCAA just shut down all visits. We slipped in there in time. We had a great visit, and talked to the coaches. It was great.”
The Alabama visit was planned, are there any others you may take this spring or summer?
“I want to go to Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and maybe visit Ole Miss, Northwestern, and Stanford. Most I have not visited yet.”
Are those a mix of camps and visits?
“Yes, sir.”
As a rising sophomore with 17 offers, what has this recruiting process been like for you so far?
“I’m grateful that I am just a sophomore, and I am grateful for the interest and contacts of coaches I can call. I know a lot of other players who are good enough to play at the next level, they do not have the opportunities right now. I am grateful to have my foot in the door.”
Fisher, it was a pleasure. I thank you for your time and wish you success with your personal workouts during this time.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Anderson family; Fisher Anderson and the Wade twins at LSU