NFF National Scholar-Athletes
LB - 3.91 GPA – Agricultural Business
Head Coach: Brent Vigen | Athletics Director: Leon Costello
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. George Haynes
A true utility player, Troy Andersen is a two-time All-American who has lined up at running back, quarterback and now linebacker for Montana State all while maintaining a near-perfect GPA. The Dillon, Montana, native becomes the Bobcats' fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A two-time Academic All-District selection (2019, 2021), Andersen graduated in May 2021 with a 3.91 GPA in agricultural business. The two-time Academic All-Big Sky honoree is a member of the MSU President's and Dean's lists and plans to pursue an MBA.
This season, Andersen was named the 2021 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Bobcats and ranking second in the Big Sky in total tackles (114) and solo tackles (59), while adding 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. The two-year team captain earned his third First Team All-Big Sky selection while also intercepting two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and breaking up seven others. Andersen is also one of 25 finalists for the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS. He was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week after leading Montana State with 15 tackles and two pass breakups in the Bobcats' win over Eastern Washington, and he had a career-high 17 tackles in a win over Idaho. The 9-2 Bobcats have earned the No. 8 overall seed in the 2021 FCS Playoffs and will host UT Martin in the second round on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
A First Team All-America and First Team All-Big Sky linebacker in 2019, Andersen also started three games on offense that season while leading MSU to its first FCS Semifinals appearance since 1984. In 2018, Andersen earned Third Team All-America laurels as an all-purpose player and First Team All-Big Sky honors as the Bobcats' starting quarterback. That season, he set single-season MSU records with 21 rushing touchdowns, 128 points and nine 100-yard rushing games while his 1,412 rushing yards marked the third-best campaign in school annals. Andersen was the 2017 Big Sky Freshman of the Year while playing as a running back and linebacker.
Despite now playing primarily on defense, Andersen still ranks second in school history with 33 rushing touchdowns while sitting ninth in rushing yards (2,263) and sixth in 100-yard rushing games (11).
Off the field, Andersen has regularly volunteered in Bozeman public schools the last four years, and he has coached youth and high school football camps during the summer. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, working on projects in Poland and Montana. He is a leader for Team IMPACT, where he works with a youth in Big Timber battling cancer.
Andersen was selected 58th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft.
