The Ottawa Redblacks have signed running back Mario Anderson Jr. on Monday, according to Justin Dunk of 3DownNation.
Mario Anderson Jr. is five foot nine and weighs 208 pounds. The 25-year-old from Summerville, South Carolina, had 10 carries for 65 yards and three catches for 18 yards in two preseason games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2026. The Roughriders released him on May 30, 2026.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Anderson Jr. on April 29, 2025. In 2025, he had 14 carries for 37 yards, one touchdown, and three catches for 35 yards in two preseason games. He spent three weeks on the practice squad. The Roughriders released him on June 23, 2025. They re-signed him to the practice squad on July 22, 2025. Anderson Jr. had 24 carries for 134 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and four catches for 13 yards in nine games.
Collegiately, Anderson Jr. played three seasons at Newberry College (2020-22) with 513 carries for 3,301 yards, 35 touchdowns, 21 catches for 135 yards, and two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist) in 29 games for the Wolves. He was named a two-time First Team All-South Atlantic Conference, First Team Division II All-American by AP, Second Team All-American, and a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy.
Next, Anderson Jr. transferred to South Carolina in 2023 with 143 carries for 707 yards, three touchdowns, 22 catches for 153 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games for the Gamecocks.
Then, he transferred to Memphis in 2024 with 236 carries for 1,362 yards, 18 touchdowns, 52 catches for 312 yards, three touchdowns, and one kick return for 14 yards in 13 games for the Tigers. He was a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom.
