HUGE INCOMING: Meet a super talented miami’s soon to be 18 year old quarters with an’ unlimited ceiling’ He will be soon enough

QB Judd Anderson is daydreaming about the Hurricanes these days, in between “grinding the Grinch” and watching favorite Christmas movies as a University of Miami college student. “Playing for a school with a national championship history like that, there’s just a longing in that facility to get back to the point of dominating college football,” Anderson, 18, of Warner Robins (Georgia) High School, said on Thursday to the Miami Herald. “I’d like to be a part of that.” He’ll be there soon enough. The physically imposing, intensely focused 6-7, 225-pound Anderson will be the only high school signal caller to officially become a Hurricane when the three-day early signing period begins at 7 a.m. Wednesday. He’s chosen his orange-and-green attire for his school signing ceremony, but he’ll have to wait a few weeks before arriving in Coral Gables in mid-January as an early enrollee with a 3.95 grade point average.

Anderson’s new roommate will be incoming kicker Abram Murray, who was the first UM commit in the 2024 signing class back in July 2022. Anderson was the second commit last April 7, when UM’s class — which is now ranked in the top-10 nationally — appeared to be deserted. “Ghost town: You’re not wrong,” Murray said this weekend, agreeing that he “had faith” that the class would become one of the nation’s strongest and that Anderson, whom he befriended when they were the lone commits, would be an ideal roommate. “I like him because he will not be sidetracked and will stay on the straight and narrow path to achieve his goals.” Today’s class is jam-packed with elite talent from all three phases of the game, with approximately 30 newcomers expected to sign scholarship papers during the initial signing period, which concludes Friday. The second signing period for the 2024 season begins on February 7 and runs through April 1.

Former UM fourth-year junior Tyler Van Dyke announced last week that he is transferring to Wisconsin after a career that saw the highest highs and lowest lows in Coral Gables. The quarterback-thin Hurricanes could sign at least one quarterback other than Anderson for 2024 as early as Wednesday. However, the additional quarterback is expected to come from the transfer portal and have enough college experience to possibly slot right into the starting lineup against the Florida Gators at the Swamp this fall. After not playing a single snap in 2023, sophomore Jacurri Brown is the only current healthy UM quarterback on scholarship and will start next week’s Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers. Brown may enter the portal after the Pinstripe, or he may return to compete for the starting job. Emory Williams, a promising freshman, underwent surgery last month and is currently rehabbing after suffering a compound fracture of his left arm at Florida State.

“College football is an ever-changing world in which anything can happen and anyone can come in at any time,” Anderson said of the transfer portal’s seemingly out-of-control comings and goings. “A true freshman starting the first game?” That is something I must remember. That’s the type of competitor I am. I believe I will be one of the best guys in the room, and I want to show off my skills. It doesn’t matter if I redshirt or if I get to play four or five games. Every day is another day at the office.”

Judd Anderson, a UM quarterback commit, is shown during a game for Warner Robins (Georgia) High in 2023. The Planks’ photography The Boards Anderson is rated a three-star prospect in a system used by recruiting sites that assigns stars ranging from three to five for athletes at major universities. According to 247Sports, he is the 49th best quarterback in the country and the 112th best player in Georgia, regardless of position. On3, he is ranked as Georgia’s 43rd best quarterback and 63rd best player. He never played Pop Warner football, but he started as a receiver for his middle school in sixth grade and moved up to quarterback in ninth grade. He attended Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Georgia, for his first two years of high school. However, in an era of pass-heavy, spread offenses, the run-heavy, old-school Wing-T offense was not conducive to a big-bodied, big-armed, pro-style quarterback. So, for his junior season, Anderson transferred to Jones County High in Gray, Georgia, and he passed for 1,776 yards (56.5 completion percentage), 15 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

Anderson had a difficult year, but he returned to Jones County for the start of his senior season in 2023. Anderson transferred to Warner Robins after Jones County alternated Anderson and another quarterback every other series in the first two games of 2023. In 12 games for Class 5A Warner Robins, he finished 232 of 315 (73.6 percent) for 2,917 yards and 30 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He scored twice on the ground and once on the ground to lead the Warner Robins Demons to the state quarterfinals and a 9-4 overall record. Anderson led the Demons to a 43-28 victory over his former Jones County team on Oct. 27, which was flagged for more than 100 yards in penalties, including several for roughing the passer.

Finally, the quarterback stated that “it wasn’t a good situation” at Jones County and that “it got ten times better” after he transferred. “At Warner Robins, I was able to make decisions,” he said. “They allowed me to be free and break free from this bind — like being trapped in a box.” ‘You’re making the right decisions, you’re the best player out there, have fun, do what you do, and just play ball,’ it was said at Warner Robins. Anderson is also a talented basketball player, having led the state of Georgia in rebounds as a sophomore and leading Jones County to the state semifinals as a junior. This season, he gave up basketball to focus on football. Soon after being hired in February 2023, UM offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson offered Anderson a scholarship.

“He told Judd, ‘You’re our guy,’ and the communication from Day 1 has been elite,” said Wade Anderson, owner of a landscaping company that does major projects for homeowners (retainer walls, water features). “Judd isn’t going in thinking, ‘By year 1…’ or ‘By year 2…’ He’s going to put in a lot of effort. “Can’t get caught up in what’s going on, good or bad,” Judd’s father said of the University of Miami quarterback situation. “He’ll just keep his head down and work on his development.”

More information can be found at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article283089903.html#storylink=cpy”He told Judd, ‘You’re our guy,’ and the communication from Day 1 has been elite,” said Wade Anderson, owner of a landscaping company that does major projects for homeowners (retainer walls, water features). “Judd isn’t going in thinking, ‘By year 1…’ or ‘By year 2…’ He’s going to work his tail off.” “Can’t get caught up in what’s going on, good or bad,” Judd’s father said of the University of Miami quarterback situation. “He’ll just keep his head down and work on his development.”

Wade and his wife, Rachel, a doctoral-level audiologist, praised the UM coaching staff’s desire to stay in touch with the family. “He could have gone elsewhere,” Wade explained, “but coach Mario Cristobal and his staff pay close attention to detail.” There is a group chat between our family and the coaches, and we hear from Mario or Coach Dawson every day. That is extremely encouraging.” Rachel stated: “Those coaches were so welcoming right away. You want to know that your son will be surrounded by people of good character.’
“‘Do you see what I see?’ Dawson asked at one point. ”I’m getting a kid who could be a real high-level guy who is flying under the radar,” Quarterback Country trainer Charley Loeb of Atlanta said. “He’s a fascinating young man.” To begin with, he’s a really bright light with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the game. He enjoys the process.”He stands out in terms of physical appearance. He was never goofy or awkward for his size or age when I first started training with him after his sophomore season. “He’s got a lot of velocity, spins the ball well — high spin rate, tight spiral — and it’s all in this one-of-a-kind package.” Judd is 6-7, but he moves like a 6-1. The sky is the limit for a kid like that.”

Denny Thompson of Jacksonville-based 6Points, another private quarterbacks coach, said Anderson, whom he has helped train since ninth grade, “has come as far developmentally” as anyone he’s ever coached. “When his father told me his height, I was like, ‘Oh, no,'” Thompson said. “But when he first came in and threw, he was as fluid as anyone I’d ever seen at that age.” Then he began to add weight and became obsessed with the mechanics. He works extremely hard and has improved noticeably every time we see him — at least once a month. “This year, when you see him on the field, you think, ‘This guy is stinking good.’ He’s connected to the ground, understands ground force, and can control this massive body. He can see the game better now. The most important thing we’re working on right now is his reaction time, which we’re doing through his vision. When you’re that tall and have such long legs, your drop becomes a little more complicated.
Anderson stated that he has worked hard on decision-making, defense reading, pocket movement, and finding lanes. “I’m a big in-pocket guy,” he explained. “Whether I’m being hit or have a clean pocket, I deliver shots.” I throw catchable footballs and improved my accuracy and intermediate throws this year.

“Ultimately, my goal is to grow and be in the right place physically, mentally, and spiritually.” In the end, I don’t care about ratings. No matter who you are, you must compete and work for your college education.” Anderson, who has a 5-11, 16-year-old volleyball sister and a 27-year-old sister with two children, plans to enter UM “open-minded” about his future major and “feel stuff out the first two years.” “I’m looking forward to college,” he said. “I mean, this is the following chapter.” Yes, I’m maturing, and an anxious side of me occasionally emerges. But I’m really excited about what’s to come.”