Ineligible His Senior Year, 4-Star LSU Commit Dee Anderson Focused on Positives

DESOTO, Texas — The last thing Dee Anderson wants to be is a statistic.

The scenario isn't new in high school athletics, particularly with public schools in the state of Texas. Athlete gets into trouble, whether large or small. Athlete transfers to another school for a fresh start. Athlete meets with respective executive committee in a ruling to determine whether or not he can play with the new team.

And while the transfer is a go academically, the request to play sports for the new school is denied.

This is the position Anderson, the nation's No. 104 player and an LSU wide receiver commit, faces this season. But it's also a situation where he refuses to allow it to define him.

"You've got to keep going, man," said Anderson, who, despite not playing his senior season at DeSoto High School, is using the year to prepare for next-level competition—his freshman season at LSU. Anderson will graduate high school in December and will be in Baton Rouge in January in time for spring workouts at LSU.

You may not see Anderson playing on Friday nights, but he's with his DeSoto teammates in every practice during the week and wearing his No. 14 game jersey on the sidelines on Friday nights. He's working out intensely as if he's the starter, getting stronger in the weight room and running every conditioning drill on the field.

He's also the guy working with his team's defensive backs, getting them physically and mentally ready for competition.

"I can't be off the field," Anderson said. "That's just not me."

In short, Anderson doesn't want to be the guy with tons of athletic potential who didn't reach his pinnacle because of a noteworthy setback.

He doesn't want to be a statistic.

Credit: 247Sports

Working Hard, Helping Others

Before the summer, Anderson, a 4-star prospect, earned his stripes as a playmaking receiver for West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. In two varsity seasons, he caught 46 passes for 748 yards—an average of more than 16 yards per catch—and 14 touchdowns.

Life changed for Anderson right before West Mesquite's spring football game. He was dismissed from the team for what was dubbed "conduct detrimental to the team," and the then-6'4", 177-pound receiver was a notable piece missing in West Mesquite's spring game.

Now a shade below 6'5" and 194 pounds, Anderson hoped for a second chance on the field by transferring to DeSoto, a Texas powerhouse that features multiple FBS-caliber athletes each year. Although he was a member of the school, the district executive committee that oversees the University Interscholastic League's (UIL) District 8-6A—the district that DeSoto plays in—unanimously denied his request to play.

Anderson later attempted to appeal the committee's decision by taking his case to the UIL state executive committee. However, that committee denied his appeal and ruled that he transferred to DeSoto for athletic purposes.

He then went to social media to deliver the news to the masses:

"What was I thinking?" Anderson said, referring to the decision. "Oh my goodness. It was the hardest thing ever knowing I couldn't play."

Fortunately for Anderson, he has a huge backup plan to fall back on. Many seniors play to get college interest. Anderson already has his scholarship locked up—and several others if he chooses not to sign with LSU in February—so the objective now is to continue working as if he were preparing for his senior year.

And in this case, he's working to help his new team get better.

"He's going through all the individual drills and is continuing his growth as a receiver," DeSoto coach Todd Peterman said. "When the defense needs a good look at receiver, he'll give it to them. He's been nothing but a team player since he's been here. He's never taken first-team reps at DeSoto, but he's never had any issues with it. I've never seen one single issue with the kid."

Imagine that: The nation's No. 16 wide receiver and a 4-star athlete lining up as arguably the nation's most respected scout team receiver. And it's all his choice. It shows the humility and maturity of an athlete who said he's learned a lot since the spring.

Motivated, Not Devastated

A frustrated Anderson has watched DeSoto stumble to an 0-2 start, taking a nationally televised loss to Arlington (Texas) Martin and losing a Saturday showdown against Florida power IMG Academy. The loss to IMG was even tougher because it was three days prior that he received the news from the state executive committee.

But Anderson wouldn't allow frustration to turn into devastation. If anything, the decision has motivated him. He wants to show that even without a senior year of varsity football, he's ready to make a big splash in the SEC. He has all of the physical attributes coaches want in a tall, athletic wide receiver.

Academically, and perhaps most importantly in this case, Anderson has adhered to everything DeSoto's asked him to do. He gets weekly grade checks and recently met with academic counselors in preparation of the countdown to December.

"When he lost his UIL decision, I said we'd take care of him football-wise and academically," Peterman said. "We're making sure he gets what he needs from football. He's been grinding out in the classroom. We met with his counselors and the assistant principals [Tuesday], and he's going to graduate in December."

And then there's the work on and around the football field. Anderson doesn't miss voluntary weight room sessions. He's active in video sessions. He even attended a Labor Day practice.

For him, there's no off period—even though his season is on hiatus. That's one of the reasons why he and Peterman have both said LSU still wants him to sign in February.

"I talked to [LSU] once or twice a week, and they like that I'm still working," Anderson said. "That's what's driving me. I know I'm leaving early, and I know there's somebody still trying to get better than me as I try to get to the next level."

Peterman added, "He's done a spectacular job. There haven't been any issues with him. I talk to [wide receivers] Coach [Tony] Ball and let him know how Dee's doing. They know the work he's doing here. I think he's going to be just fine at LSU."

Credit: 247Sports

Goals to Achieve

Anderson is a part of a 2016 LSU class that includes 5-star athletes in cornerback Saivion Smith, safety Eric Monroe and defensive tackle Edwin Alexander. He is the team's only 4-star receiver pledge.

Anderson said he has a goal of getting bigger, faster and stronger before January. He doesn't want to be the freshman that sits on the bench because he's considered an athlete that's not ready for college football.

It's that attitude that makes him such a hot commodity, not only for LSU but for several other programs as well. He has 13 other reported offers, and he said one school in particular continued to stay in touch.

"I still hear from Texas," he said. "They said they're still very interested."

Whether he ultimately signs with LSU, Texas or any other program in February, Anderson is just elated that he's still in a position to sign with a university. One of the things that scared him about not playing his senior year was having teams back away.

Something else that made him apprehensive was fitting in at DeSoto. He had a feeling that some at the school would form their opinions of him based off hearsay. What he found instead was a family atmosphere and a group of coaches and teammates who embraced him.

It's a group who would go through a brick wall for him. And vice versa. That's one of the reasons why he works so hard during practices when he technically doesn't have to.

"All the conditioning drills, all the weekend workouts, that's important," he said. "Basically, I don't have my senior season, but I'm still a part of this team. I'm blessed, man; I'm blessed."

Peterman added, "We told him and his mother that no matter what happens, he's an Eagle. He's a part of us."

DeSoto will prepare for its third game this week and look to get its first victory of the year. Consider Anderson one of DeSoto's biggest supporters.

And when January comes, expect that support to reciprocate as he heads to Baton Rouge.

"Dee wants to graduate from college," Peterman said. "If the NFL comes, I know he'd love for that to be a part of his dream, but he wants to get that degree and go from there. His degree is Plan A; the NFL is Plan B, and we fully support him."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles