Week Three's Overnight Sensation: Bryce Anderson, Defensive Back

Each Monday during the 2022 Texas A&M football season, we’ll identify a first or second-year Aggie player who delivered an exceptional performance over the weekend and earned the distinction of being the week’s ‘Overnight Sensation.’

Next man up.

Thrown into the fire in front of 107,000+ people, and Bryce Anderson rose to the occasion.

During Texas A&M’s 17-9 dogfight win over Miami, Bryce Anderson and Texas A&M’s defense facilitated a dominant defensive performance, not allowing a touchdown all game. A&M’s defense held Miami quarterback and projected first-round draft pick Tyler Van Dyke to his second-lowest completion percentage in his career (51.2%).

When the Aggie secondary needed it most, Anderson stepped up in a big way.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Through three career games, Anderson has made 10 total tackles.

Two starting defensive backs — Brian George and Demani Richardson — were ejected due to targeting calls in the first half. If you thought that thinned out of the depth in the secondary, true freshmen Denver Harris and Smoke Bouie were suspended for violating team curfew rules.

D.J. Durkin’s secondary depth was tested, but he looked to #1 and looked no further.

The true freshman totaled eight tackles and four solo stops, but beyond the stat sheet, Anderson was ready to measure up to expectation, tying veteran and projected first-round draft pick Antonio Johnson as the Aggies’ second-leading tacklers of the night behind Jaylon Jones (9).

The Beaumont native was a part of A&M’s historic 2022 recruiting class and was ranked as the No. 8 safety in the nation by 247Sports. With several veteran defensive leaders on the sideline, Durkin was not afraid to use his freshmen when he needed them.

On Miami’s final offensive drive, the Aggie backfield shut down the Canes’ hopes of a comeback. Anderson was one of three freshmen lined up on the crucial drive, along with Jarred Kerr and Jacoby Matthews.

In Anderson’s next three to four years in Aggieland, he is going to be very hard to keep off the field.

Anderson’s stats vs. Miami
Tackles: 8
Solo Tackles: 4
QB Hurries: 0
PBUs: 0
INTs: 0

Anderson’s 2022 stats
Tackles: 10
Solo Tackles: 5
QB Hurries: 0
PBUs: 0
INTs: 0