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'I know this team is good': The surprising, and needed, leadership of IU's Ryder Anderson

BLOOMINGTON – Years ago, when the Anderson family moved into the Katy Independent School District, west of Houston, their three boys fell into the orbit of one of the most successful high school football programs in Texas.

Rodney, Ryder and Nicholas grew up on Katy football. All through elementary and middle school, it was a fixture in their lives. They attended games with their father, went to age-group football camps, everything. The program that had turned out players like Andy Dalton and Paddy Fisher became theirs as well.

So, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when they took turns starring for the Tigers: Rodney, a running back who went on to Oklahoma; Ryder, a quarterback-turned-defensive end who signed with Ole Miss; and Nicholas, now a senior at Katy and committed to Oregon to play wide receiver.