Saskatchewan Roughriders: Mario Anderson, he’s a barbershop RB

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Running back Mario Anderson looks to be on the cutting edge when it comes to his first training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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Not only does Anderson have an opportunity to make the Riders roster, he could become one of the team’s unofficial barbers.

The hair clippers are on standby, though.

“First, I’ve got to make the team,” stresses Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound dynamo from Summerville, S.C., who finished his college football career with some impressive numbers for the University of Memphis Tigers.

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“I’ve got to get it (barber kit) shipped up here. It’s on stand-by.”

For now, Anderson shreds through defences like he cuts and weaves through heads of hair.

A sensational 2024 college season saw him rush for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns with 100-plus yards in eight of his 13 games. Anderson also caught 52 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. As well, he scored two touchdowns (one on a run and one on a reception) to help Memphis defeat West Virginia 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl.

Anderson was nominated for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom.

Anderson describes himself as an “old-school” back.

“I think I bring that passionate grit, that old-school back that the game is kind of missing a little bit,” he says when asked what he brings to the Riders. “I feel like I can produce any way you need me to; special teams, offence, whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to make the team successful any way I can.”

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DOOR OPEN AT RB2

He’s a small-town kid from South Carolina who was raised, along with three brothers, by a single mom, Sequoia.

“She raised four boys, kept us in sports, kept us healthy, kept us in school and everything,” Anderson points out. “I really take pride in that.”

The departure of Frankie Hickson leaves a spot open in the RB room behind A.J. Ouellette.

“I’m just taking it day by day right now, seeing where it gets me,” Anderson says. “I’m putting one foot in front of the other, and going on and doing what’s important, and having the chips fall. We’ll see during the season.”

What attracted Anderson to the CFL’s Riders other than his agent?

“Besides that, I did my own research, of course. I know last year the guys were one game away from the Grey Cup. What the coaches have built here is phenomenal, all the work ethic that all the guys have, the love for everybody that they have. It’s a great feeling.

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“I’m learning every single day. Guys like A.J. and (Thomas Bertrand-Hudon) and coach (Andrew) Harris, the guys who have been here for a while and know quite a bit. They’re pushing me every single day, so it’s been a pleasure to be here.”

Coach Harris likes what he sees of Anderson and all the young running backs in camp, overall.

“First time watching his film, his contact balance is impressive,” Harris says of Anderson. “He runs the way we are teaching the guys — that’s physical with some grit, tenacity. But he also has the patience and finesse, too. I’m really impressed with him.”

Prior to Memphis, Anderson played for South Carolina, where he rushed for 707 yards and three TDs and caught 22 passes for 153 yards and one major.

He began his collegiate career at Newberry College, where he played three seasons and rushed for 3,301 yards and 35 touchdowns. In 2022, he rushed for 1,560 yards and scored 19 touchdowns en route to first-team all-American honours in the Division II ranks.

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CANADIAN RULES OK, BUT WEATHER?

Coming up to Canada, Anderson has had to get used to Canadian football rules and, well, Canadian weather.

“For the game part, it’s football, at the end of the day — everybody put on pads the same way. It’s the same thing,” he says. “But the Canadian weather? I’m from down south. I’m not going to lie. It ain’t get like this.”

Anderson hasn’t attended any NFL mini camps and while the NFL may remain a dream, he’s not spending his days in Saskatchewan day-dreaming.

“I’ve got to (focus) on right now,” he says. “This is a major opportunity right here. Not everyone, especially in my home town and in my family, can say they’ve been out of the country to Canada and play professionally. I’m so blessed to be able to put on the CFL uniform and wrap it up and play football.

“I’m here right now. I have an opportunity to play football. It is what it is with the NFL. I want an opportunity here to put good tape on, and just do what I do.”

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His life revolves around football, and off the field, he’s armed with a pair of scissors, comb and razor.

“I like to cut hair,” he says. “I want to be a barber when I’m done with football. I just like to play football and I just like to chill.”

The Roughriders now find themselves with two Marios.

There’s the original Super Mario (Mario Alford), and now Super Mario 2 (Mario Anderson) enters the picture.

And what about the Super Mario nickname?

“We haven’t figured it out yet,” Anderson replies. “There are two Marios. We’ve got to share the name.”

Share the ball, share the name.

Let the chips — and the hair clippings — fall where they may.

dzary@postmedia.com

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