At the new student convocation Sunday, University of Toledo football coach Jason Candle brought along his team captains for the event.
As one of his captains, junior safety Tycen Anderson, came into the locker room before the festivities, he wore an expression on his face Candle has become familiar with over the past few years.
“Here comes Tycen walking around the corner with a smile from ear-to-ear,” Candle said. “That's the same smile I saw at the library at St. John's when we were recruiting him. Tycen has not changed. Tycen is the same guy that two great parents raised. Everybody else is starting to find out who Tycen really is, which is really cool. That's what the maturation and growth process for young players is, and that's what they go through. Tycen has not changed who he is from a character standpoint one bit. Now that he is a little bit older and had some more opportunities to show who he is, everyone is taking notice and that's why he is a captain.”
Anderson is one of six captains on the Toledo team and is the only junior as the five others — Bryce Harris, Nate Childress, Reggie Gilliam, Jordan Fisher, and DeDarallo Blue — are seniors.
“It's a surreal feeling,” Anderson said. “I'm the same guy each and every day. I go about my routine and continue to uplift and motivate my teammates every day. I'm just going to continue to do that. It's a great honor. I view myself as a leader on this team. I don't say too much unless I get a feeling in my heart to say stuff. I just try to go day by day and lead by example. So guys may not hear me but they see me, and it's a good feeling.”
Anderson suffered a torn labrum in the offseason and had surgery in January. He wasn't able to participate in spring practices, but said he is ready to go this season.
“It was my very first injury since I was young,” Anderson said. “I've had sprained ankles or a sprained wrist, but never like a really serious injury. But I'm back ready 100 percent. I had a good offseason and gained some weight. My shoulder is stronger than ever so I'm ready to go.”
Candle expects Anderson to take the natural step in his progression from year two to year three in the program.
“Going into your third year after playing two years, that's what you probably would expect,” Candle said. “I think anybody that's got the character of that young man and has the body of work that he has put in, not having him in spring football was a noticeable difference. Having him out here in camp makes our defense a better defense. He's a guy I'm expecting to have a great year.”
Anderson has played in 27 games in the first two years of his career, but has only one career start. He had an interception and four pass breakups in each of his first two seasons and recorded 44 tackles as a sophomore last season.
This year, Anderson is the starter at strong safety on a defense that he says should be improved as an overall unit from last season.
“It's for sure a bigger role for me,” Anderson said. “I'm also trying to lead my guys, but also do my own thing and be accountable for my own actions. Every year you have to take a step in the right direction. I feel like I put in the work this offseason and put in the work this fall camp, and I'm ready to have a real special year.”
Coming from St. John's Jesuit, Anderson recognizes the influence he has being a hometown kid and playing at the Glass Bowl. It's not only a responsibility to himself and his teammates, but also to young football players in the area who potentially look to him as a positive example of what they can achieve.
“Growing up, we didn't always have the best role models to look up to,” Anderson said. “I just want to be that for my younger cousins and their friends and people around the community. I know the influence I have in my community with all the younger guys that are growing up and playing football and looking for a good role model to look up to.”
Being a captain as a junior is a special honor for Anderson, and doing so for his hometown college is even more meaningful for him.
“It for sure makes it more special,” Anderson said. “Growing up I would have never thought I would be in this position to lead my guys. I had a lot of people show me the right way to lead. I had a good core group of friends. I think I've been built for this moment whole life. My dad showed me the ropes and taught me how to be a great leader. I'm just trying to do those things and lead my teammates.”
First Published August 29, 2019, 5:40 p.m.
