Bryce Anderson opens up on how he's handling the pressure of filling Antonio Johnson's role

Texas A&M safety Bryce Anderson has some big shoes to fill this season as he enters into the Aggies’ nickel safety role previously held by Antonio Johnson. Johnson was an AP All-SEC First Team selection and one of the top defensive back prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft. But as far as pressure goes, Anderson said he feels none following the Aggies spring game.

“I feel like it’s no pressure, because like I said, I played some snaps last year behind him,” Anderson said. “Coming in as a young guy he really groomed me, taught me everything, him and Demani (Richardson) those two guys pretty much taught me everything I know system-wise. So I feel like there’s no pressure, just go out there and play ball.”

Anderson recorded 28 tackles last season as a reserve safety, also leading the team with two fumble recoveries. He had a decorated freshman season, earning the team’s Defensive Top Newcomer Award, Defensive Attitude Award, and Special Teams Top Newcomer Award, along with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Defensive Freshman of the Year.

He will be looking to build on his impressive freshman campaign, and will do so carrying the most valuable piece of veteran advice that Johnson gave to him last season.

“Slow the game down and be you. I got out there I was a little panicking, nervous, he could’ve seen. Wide-eyed, wasn’t scared, but wide-eyed a little bit. He was like just slow the game down, it’s football. Just be you, go out there and play, and ever since then it’s been my mindset going into every game,” Anderson said.

Anderson was a four-star prospect out of West Brook high school in Texas, ranked the No. 59 overall player and No. 6 safety in the country for the 2022 class according to On3’s Industry Ranking. He’s a versatile defensive back that will be seen in multiple different spots in the secondary this season on DJ Durkin’s defense.

“I’m able to just play. I’m able to play freely, I’m able to show my range, show that I can cover man to man, go on blitzes coach Durkin’s been using me on, in and outs, playing zone coverages,” Anderson explained. “And still this year he’s still been using me in the nickel, some at strong (safety), some at free (safety), so being interchangeable.”

Anderson seems poised to be the Aggies’ next great defensive back, as he’ll look to keep the torch lit that was passed to him by Johnson heading into this season.