Aaron Anderson

NFL Draft Profile: Aaron Anderson

Position: Wide Receiver / Return Specialist | School: LSU (via Alabama) | Class: Junior

Height: 5'8" | Weight: 188 lbs | Archetype: Slot / Deep Threat

College Career Summary

Aaron Anderson is a "lightning-in-a-bottle" athlete who returned to his home state of Louisiana after a redshirt year at Alabama. After a quiet 2023, he exploded in 2024, leading LSU in receptions (61) and yards (884) while proving to be one of the SEC's most dangerous vertical threats out of the slot.

His 2025 season was a test of resilience. While he started the year on fire (averaging 82.3 yards over the first three games), a mid-season elbow strain and subsequent leg injuries hampered his availability. Despite missing three games and being limited in others, he remained a high-IQ safety valve for Garrett Nussmeier. On December 20, 2025, Anderson officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, finishing his college career as a refined, explosive weapon with elite special teams upside.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 106 | Total Receiving Yards: 1,341 | TDs: 5 Rec / 1 Return

• 2025 Regular Season Stats: 33 Rec, 398 Yds, 0 TD (9 Games)

• Return Ability: Logged a 100-yard kick return touchdown in 2024; career average of 31.8 yards per kick return.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ Clemson	6 / 99 / 0	A	The Apex. Torched a top-tier secondary on crossing routes.
2	vs LA Tech	8 / 73 / 0	A-	High-volume target; elite short-area separation in the red zone.
3	vs Florida	5 / 75 / 0	B+	Displayed elite "stop-start" agility on a 39-yard gain.
4	vs SE Louisiana	3 / 46 / 0	B	Controlled the middle of the field; sat out the second half (blowout).
5	@ Ole Miss	2 / 12 / 0	C+	Sustained an elbow strain; grit to return to the field was noted.
7	vs South Carolina	—	N/A	DNP (Elbow).
8	@ Vanderbilt	1 / 18 / 0	B-	Limited snaps; looked explosive on his lone deep target.
9	vs Texas A&M	5 / 59 / 0	B	Solid return to form; reliable hands-catcher in heavy traffic.
11	@ Alabama	4 / 16 / 0	C	Worst Game. Targeted heavily but smothered by physical press.
12	vs Arkansas	0 / 0 / 0	D	Played only 8 snaps before exiting with a leg injury.
13-14	—	—	N/A	DNP (Lower Body).

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Leadership: Respected veteran in the room; handled the Alabama transfer with maturity.

• Mental Toughness: Elite. Played through a painful elbow brace at Ole Miss to help his team.

• Competitor: Fierce runner; has a "running back" mentality after the catch.

• Team Player: Credits QB Garrett Nussmeier for his 2024 breakout; unselfish blocker.

• Star Power: When healthy, he is the most "electric" player on the field (10.77s 100m speed).

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 78/100

• Height/Weight: 5'8", 188 lbs. (Well under 6'0"/200lb targets; built like a "fire hydrant").

• Stamina: High; capable of returning kicks and playing 50+ offensive snaps.

• Durability: Concern. Missed significant portions of 2022 and 2025 with varying injuries.

• Injury History: Knee (2022), Elbow (2025), Lower Leg (2025).

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Catching: Very strong hands; able to pull in balls outside his frame despite limited reach.

• Route Running: Strength. Master of the slot; understands how to manipulate blind spots.

• Body Control: High; elite ability to adjust to low or behind throws in the intermediate game.

• Separation: Creates "instant" space at the top of the route with sudden head fakes.

• Release: Efficient; uses low center of gravity to "slip" press-man attempts.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Speed: Elite. Verified track speed (10.77s 100m); true "blazer."

• Agility: World-Class. Ability to "dead-leg" a defender in the open field is top-tier.

• Jumping: Solid for his height; plays much larger than 5'8" at the catch point.

• Acceleration: Elite. Reaches top speed in three steps; ideal for jet sweeps.

• Break Tackle: Surprising play strength; compact frame allows him to bounce off arm tackles.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Awareness: Exceptional; highly productive finding "holes" in zone coverage.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: World-class acceleration and top-end speed; elite vision in the open field; "vacuum" hands in the slot; proven special teams ace (6,000+ HS yards, elite return stats); high-IQ route runner.

• Weaknesses: Sub-5'9" frame significantly limits catch radius; durability concerns (multiple missed games in 2025); can be rerouted by elite physical NFL "bully" corners.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Dynamic Slot / Return Specialist in a YAC-heavy system (e.g., Dolphins, Chiefs, Lions).

• NFL Comparison: Tank Dell / Jayden Reed.

Scout's Final Word

"Aaron Anderson is a 'joy-stick' player. While his size will always lead to 'role-specific' labels, his 2024 tape proves he can be a primary volume target in a high-octane offense. If his medicals check out at the Combine, his ability to flip a game on special teams and create instant separation from the slot will make him a coveted Day 3 asset. Projected: Round 6."