Justin Anderson (“Bean”, as they call him), an Ocilla legend, takes determination to a new level. He has tasted success, and plenty of it. The 6’5”, 340-pound offensive lineman went on to be a starter for the University of Georgia and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round (208th Overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. Today, however, he is a free agent looking for another break with a professional team.
“I’m 27, I feel good, and I feel like I’ve got some good playing years left in me,” Anderson says. “So, I’ll give it a shot and see what happens.”
Anderson was never your typical small town football player; there was more to him than that, literally. Aside from the talent he built as an offensive and defensive linemen in Ocilla, Anderson’s size gave him the one-up he needed to be sought out by Division I schools across the country. He hit a growth spurt in middle school that led to plenty of encouragement from the community for Anderson to pursue football. The rest is history.
“It’s a rarity for someone to leave a small town and go off to a major conference school like the University of Georgia to play in the SEC,” says Bobby Conner, former Irwin County coach and retired superintendent. “He only wanted to play at Georgia, he committed early, and went on to do a great job. He also completed his degree. I’m very proud of Justin; he is a fine young man.” Conner says.
After graduating from Irwin County, and spending a short time at Hargrave Military Academy, Anderson indeed went on to do great for the Dawgs. He was named Freshman All-SEC by the league’s coaches and to Phil Steele’s All-Freshman Second Team in 2008. He would start 26 of 40 games, 14 during his senior year (2011), which helped the team to a record of 10-4 and berths in the SEC Championship Game and Outback Bowl. He also received the team’s Most Improved Player Award on offense in 2011. Anderson earned his degree in housing.
Post-UGA, Anderson was drafted by the Colts on May 17, 2012. He began his rookie season on the Physically Unable to Perform List and had to sit out the first six games of the season. On November 19, he was placed on the active roster; however, the very next day he was waived by the Colts. The day after that, he was re-signed and placed on the practice squad. On January 7, 2013, he was signed to a reserved/future contract. That August, he was waived/injured by the Colts, then placed on the Colts’ injured reserve list, and finally on February 10, 2014, he was waived by the Colts indefinitely.
Even after injuries and his not so fairy-tale experience with professional football, Anderson kept pushing forward. He was assigned to the Orlando Predators on February 10, 2015. However, Anderson quickly decided arena football was not for him and that he would continue to pray for another shot in the NFL. And that’s where he is today. Staying in shape. Keeping his weight down. Maintaining.
“I’ve been trying to move back up ever since,” Anderson says. “I’ve sacrificed a lot; I just don’t want it to be over yet. I train every week, stay in shape, and hopefully, somebody will call.”
With his incredible determination and the support of the Irwin County community, Anderson is an athlete to continue to keep an eye on. He is a person who firmly stands beside the phrase “giving up is not an option.”
Quick hits:
What’s the most important lesson you learned from playing with the Indians?
It taught me responsibility, mental toughness, and accountability.
Of all your successes at UGA, what makes the top of the list for you?
Beating Florida my senior year.
Do you have any aspirations that are not related to football?
I love drag racing. I hope to pursue it further when I’m older. As far as career, I think about that day in and day out.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Justin Anderson
Irwin County High School – Class of 2006
Ocilla, Ga.
By Sarah Turner
Photography submitted by Justin Anderson
