It’s been easy for West Valley High School senior Dominick Anderson to get a preview of playing football for Presentation College in the near future. The Wolfpack running back and defensive back signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday afternoon with Presentation during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon in the West Valley library. Anderson, 6 feet and 175 pounds, sat at the signing table with his mother, Denise Santos, while teammates, classmates and Wolfpack head coach John Patterson looked on.
Anderson hasn’t yet been to the Presentaton campus in Aberdeen, S.D., but he’s exchanged telephone calls and emails with Saints coaches. He’s also gained advice from former Wolfpack players Jarael Hornsby, a Presentation linebacker, and Will Vealy, who developed into a standout rusher and wide receiver for the Saints. “They said it’s a good program to go to. It had humble beginnings and started out small,” Anderson said.
Presentation started football in 2011 at the NCAA Division III and is moving this season to NAIA. The Saints went 3-7 overall in their first two seasons. “They (Vealy and Hornsby) said not to expect anything to be given to you at the collegiate level. You’ve got to work for everything,” Anderson said. “So I’m just going down there with determination. I’m just going to contribute however they need me.”
Anderson is scheduled to be among many Alaskans for Presentation. Its 2013 roster has 104 players, with 20 from Alaska, and among that group, five are from the Interior, including recent recruit and North Pole senior Ryan Wicklund, a linebacker and fullback, and Connor O’Daniel, a freshman offensive lineman from Lathrop. “It’s just comfortable being around friends who you already know and familiar faces,” Anderson said. “It played a pretty big part in my decision.”
Anderson is scheduled to play primarily at tailback and see occasional action as a safety.
The 18-year-old is anxious to read the Presentation playbook, and Vealy has told him what to expect as a Saints tailback. “He’s teaching me a lot of things and helping me with different workouts to prepare myself so I won’t be shell-shocked when I get down there,” Anderson said.
Anderson is taking advantage of any advice from Vealy, whom Anderson said is transferring to Oklahoma State University, a member of the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference.
“I know there’s plenty of other capable running backs down there,” Anderson said. “I’m ready to compete. I want to start; I didn’t come to be on the bench. I’m ready to work and show the coaches that they can expect a lot out of me.”
Patterson said the Saints can expect leadership from Anderson, who averaged a team-high 5.16 yards per carry last season. Anderson, despite an injury limiting him in West Valley’s last two games of 2012, rushed 75 times for more than 400 yards and contributed 10 tackles defensively.
“He’s got a great heart, he’s never negative and he does everything you ask of him,” Patterson said. “You don’t have to worry about Dom when it comes to grades and academics. His behavior in the classroom is outstanding.”
Anderson is planning to major in sports administration at Presentation.
No comments:
Post a Comment