Mario Anderson
American football player (born 2001)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mario Anderson Jr. (born April 24, 2001)[1] is an American professional football running back for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Newberry Wolves, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Memphis Tigers.
Summerville, South Carolina, U.S.
| Ottawa Redblacks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Roster status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 24, 2001 Summerville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Stratford (Goose Creek, South Carolina) |
| College | Newberry (2019–2022) South Carolina (2023) Memphis (2024) |
| NFL draft | 2024 (undrafted) |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at CFL.ca | |
Early life
Anderson attended Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina.[2] An unranked recruit, he committed to play college football for Newberry College, joining the Division II team as a walk-on.[3]
College career
Newberry
In four years at Newberry from 2019 to 2022, Anderson rushed 513 times for 3,296 yards and 35 touchdowns and hauled in 21 receptions for 135 yards.[4] He was named first-team all-conference twice in 2021 and 2022,[citation needed] while also being named an All-American and a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist in 2022.[5]
South Carolina
Anderson transferred to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.[6] In week 2 of the 2023 season, he rushed six times for 32 yards in a win over Furman.[7] In week 4, Anderson ran for 88 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in a win over Mississippi State.[8] In week 5, he broke off a 75-yard rushing touchdown against Tennessee.[9] Anderson finished the 2023 season rushing for 707 yards and four touchdowns on 143 carries, while also hauling in 22 receptions[citation needed] for 153 yards and a touchdown.[10] Following the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[10]
Memphis
Anderson transferred to play for the Memphis Tigers.[11] In week 7 of the 2024 season, he was ejected in the second quarter in a win over South Florida after spitting on Bulls defensive tackle Doug Blue-Eli.[12] In week 8, Anderson rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries in a win over North Texas.[13] In week 12, he rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries to help beat UAB.[14]
Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | ||
| 2019 | Newberry | Redshirt  | |||||||||
| 2020 | Newberry | 6 | - | 69 | 504 | 7.3 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 0 |
| 2021 | Newberry | 13 | - | 233 | 1,237 | 5.3 | 12 | 12 | 91 | 7.6 | 0 |
| 2022 | Newberry | 10 | - | 211 | 1,560 | 7.4 | 19 | 6 | 25 | 4.2 | 0 |
| 2023 | South Carolina | 12 | 8 | 143 | 707 | 4.9 | 3 | 22 | 153 | 7.0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Memphis | 13 | 12 | 236 | 1,362 | 5.8 | 18 | 52 | 312 | 6.0 | 3 |
| D-II career | 29 | - | 513 | 3,296 | 6.4 | 35 | 21 | 135 | 6.4 | 0 | |
| FBS career | 25 | 20 | 379 | 2,069 | 5.5 | 21 | 74 | 465 | 6.3 | 4 | |
Professional career
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On April 29, 2025, it was announced that Anderson had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[16] Following training camp, he accepted a practice roster position on June 1, 2025, but was released on June 23, 2025.[17] However, following long-term injuries to backup running backs Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Ka'Deem Carey, Anderson was re-signed on July 22, 2025.[18]
On May 30, 2026, Anderson was released by the Roughriders as part of final roster cuts.[19]
Ottawa Redblacks
On June 15, 2026, Anderson signed with the Ottawa Redblacks.[20]