2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Anderson Tomlin, OL, Furman University

• Name: Anderson Tomlin
• Position: OL
• College: Furman University
• Height: 6’5″
• Weight: 300 lbs
• Twitter: @TomlinAnderson
• Instagram: @anderson.tomlin

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I moved to a back to my hometown the summer after my freshmen year, I had reconnected with some buddies guys I had been friends with before I moved away and they were all on the football team. So they of course encouraged me to join. I’m from Birmingham so I grew up going to Bryant-Denny and watching the crimson tide play so football was very familiar for me and easy to get into.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I would probably pick Lane Johnson. Aside from being one of the best tackles in the league he is also just a really good guy. I feel like he would be able to offer me invaluable advice not only about the game of football but also about life.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

Definitely my father. He works a really tough job and has been made even more difficult by the seemingly endless pandemic. He does so much for my entire family and a lot of it goes unnoticed. He has been a huge role model for me as I have grown and matured, and I can only hope to be half of the man, husband, and father that he is. He works all week, attends my little brothers games on Friday nights, and wakes up at 5 am or earlier most Saturday mornings to drive to my games 5 hours away from home, that is just one example of how he goes above and beyond to be the best dad he can be. I could not be more thankful to have him as a father. If you’re reading this dad, I really appreciate everything you do.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

It’s really hard to pick one particular moment, and when most people are asked that question they usually talk about some sort of overtime win or stellar performance they had but for me, it’s just the grind of it all. My favorite moments come after a super hard workout and I know I didn’t leave anything left in the tank. The 100 degree fall camp practices where you can barely breathe it’s so hot but you push through. Those are the moments that I love.

What should we know about Anderson Tomlin the person?

I am a very driven and dedicated person who generally stops at nothing to complete and assist in my goals and the goals of my team. Outside of football, I take pride in being a good person and friend to all those around me.

What are your favorite things about playing football for Furman?

I love my teammates. I love grinding with them, winning games with them, and competing with them. We have an awesome locker room environment that’s just another part of the great culture we have built here.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I love wide/outside zone, there’s nothing better than being able to just come off the rock and get after the guy across from you.

What was a moment that improved you the most as a football player?

I had a tough conversation with one of my former coaches that really sparked my drive to try and better myself everyday.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I try to attack every challenge with the same mindset, think logically and create a plan that will set me on the right path to overcome whatever challenge it may be.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A guy who brings his hard hat to work everyday and will do anything to help my team succeed. A player who searches day in and day out for opportunities to grow and learn as a player and a person.

What are you looking forward to in your upcoming season?

I am pumped to play Clemson, an opportunity to play on that big of a stage against some of the best players that college football has to offer. I mean that’s every young players dream in my opinion.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

I’ve played with a bunch of dudes who I don’t believe get the recognition they deserve. I could list a ton of names but the guy that first came to mind is an RB in my class at Furman. Devin Abrams. That dude is easily one of the hardest workers on the team and does so much of the dirty work that doesn’t really get recognized, things like lead blocking and pass protection. A guy like that is invaluable to a team and he is an awesome guy outside of football to go along with that.