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

Each Monday during the 2023 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.’

Have a day, #1.

A healthy Bryce Anderson proved to be a dangerous Bryce Anderson as he played a significant role in Texas A&M’s defensively dominating 30-17 win over South Carolina.

Anderson's stellar day came after a brief stint on the sideline. After missing the Tennessee game due to injury, he clearly utilized the bye week to heal.

The sophomore topped A&M’s defensive statistics and assisted in holding South Carolina to just 209 total yards of offense.

Garnering any offensive momentum was a struggle for the Gamecocks as Spencer Rattler felt the pressure all day, especially from Anderson.

Rattler was hurried nine times and sacked four, yet those sacks looked a little different than in weeks past for A&M. The Gamecocks’ quarterback was called for three intentional grounding penalties, two of which were caused by Anderson and pushed the visitors back 26 yards by himself.

The pair of negative-yardage plays by #1 thwarted the drives, leading to eventual three-and-outs for South Carolina. While Max Johnson & Co. had a successful three-score second quarter, the Gamecocks totaled -21 yards.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Bryce Anderson has been a key piece to A&M’s No. 1 defense in the SEC.

Outside of his disruption in the offensive backfield, Anderson added a season-high seven tackles and one pass breakup.

After being named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Defensive Freshman of the Year, Anderson is building on that success. Although just a second-year player, he brings key experience to the secondary with 18 collegiate games under his belt.

In the seven games he has started this season, the Beaumont native has affected the game in every possible way that a defensive player can. He has put up numbers in every statistic: tackles, tackles-for-loss, sacks, pass breakups, interceptions, quarterback hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

As he displayed on Saturday, Anderson has the capability to quiet opposing offenses, and his upcoming performance might compel Lane Kiffin to choose his words more carefully this week.

Anderson’s stats vs. South Carolina
Tackles: 7
Solo Tackles: 5
TFL: 2.5
Sacks: 2
Pass Breakups: 1

Anderson’s 2023 stats
Tackles: 28
Solo Tackles: 17
TFL: 5.5
Sacks: 2
Pass Breakups: 4
Interceptions: 1
Forced Fumbles: 1
Fumble Recoveries: 1