At Aurora Christian, TJ Anderson is impossible to miss. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 310 pounds, the senior lineman is a formidable presence. His strength is evident from his junior-year record of a 560-pound squat. Despite this, Anderson’s focus is on speed, which he believes is essential for his growth.
Anderson stated, “I’m always working on my speed. My main focus has been my feet. I’ve been slower, so I lost 30 pounds last offseason to get faster. I did many footwork drills.” His training included ladder drills to boost his pass-blocking skills at Realize Athletics in Sycamore.
Coach David Beebe observed Anderson’s evolution: “He started on offense as a sophomore. In the last two years, he has also played defensive tackle. He’s big and strong. He has always been great, but now his pass protection is notable.” Anderson’s agility is an asset, paired with his ability to block effectively.
This season, Anderson is joined by his veteran offensive line. They include Logan Mahon, Jason Haymon, Justin Douglas, and newcomer David Carrero. Together, they have enabled junior running back Jalen Callaway to average 8.3 yards per carry, amassing 1,193 yards and 18 touchdowns. This performance helped the Eagles tie with Bishop McNamara for first place in the Chicagoland Christian Conference.
Anderson expressed enthusiasm about his role: “It’s exciting knowing the ball is often in our favor. It’s fun watching Jalen find gaps and go far.” Despite sharing the title, Aurora Christian looks forward to their ninth consecutive playoff appearance. They are third-seeded in their Class 3A bracket, with the first-round bye.
They await the winner of the Elmwood-Brimfield vs. Winnebago game. Coach Beebe highlighted the playoff’s challenge: “With a week off, it’s different. We need to prepare for two teams without knowing who we face next. The next game is still sudden death.”
Anderson’s recruitment has increased. He’s been visiting colleges and received Division I offers from Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso. He remarked, “It’s been a dream.” Anderson’s football journey began with flag football in Batavia. Moving to Sycamore, he started tackle football and played alongside future teammate Asa Johnson. Johnson, starting as a left tackle, later became a quarterback before moving to a Northern Illinois freshman QB role.
Reflecting, Anderson said, “I was always big for my age, playing above my grade. Moving from JV to varsity as a sophomore was a big step, facing bigger, older opponents.”
Coach Beebe noted Anderson’s growth: “He was top-heavy as a sophomore but has developed physically and gained confidence. His experience now matches his strength.”
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