Troy Andersen Bio
Troy Andersen (born April 23, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Montana State Bobcats, where he lined up at quarterback, running back, fullback, and linebacker before declaring for the NFL Draft. Andersen was named a first-team FCS All-American and the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Born and raised in Dillon, Montana, Andersen built his game on a cattle ranch before starring at Beaverhead County High School as a two-way player. Selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, he has since developed into a versatile defensive contributor known for his sideline-to-sideline range and football instincts.
Early Life and Background
Troy Andersen was born on April 23, 1999, and grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Dillon, Montana, a small ranching community in the southwestern part of the state. The rural setting demanded a strong work ethic from a young age, and Andersen developed the physical toughness that later defined his playing style. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed around 245 pounds, his frame reflects years of outdoor labor and athletic development.
He attended Beaverhead County High School, where he starred as both quarterback and safety for the football team while also competing in basketball and track. As a senior, Andersen was named first-team All-State at quarterback and safety and was recognized as the Montana Defensive Player of the Year. He passed for 1,403 yards, rushed for 877 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns on offense, while adding 71 tackles, three interceptions, and two recovered fumbles on defense as Beaverhead captured the Class A state championship.
Path to American Football
Andersen’s journey into college football began immediately, as he enrolled at Montana State University and contributed as a true freshman. He started games at both running back and linebacker, earning Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honors after rushing for 515 yards and five touchdowns while also recording nine tackles and a sack on defense. That early two-way role foreshadowed the positional flexibility he would carry throughout his career.
Before his sophomore season, Andersen shifted to quarterback after two-year starter Chris Murray was ruled academically ineligible. He completed 115 of 208 passes for 1,195 yards and added 1,412 rushing yards with a school-record 21 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big Sky recognition. The experience sharpened his understanding of offensive schemes and further developed his leadership skills.
He returned to linebacker as a junior and also played fullback, finishing with 54 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, earning another first-team All-Big Sky nod. After redshirting his senior year due to injuries, Andersen returned as a redshirt senior and was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year, finishing as the runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award. He capped his college career with an invitation to the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Troy Andersen Career
Early Career (2022)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Troy Andersen in the second round with the 58th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, a pick originally acquired from the Tennessee Titans in the Julio Jones trade. He made his regular-season debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams and earned his first professional start in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. In that start, he produced a season-high 13 tackles in a 28-14 win, signaling his potential to contribute immediately on defense.
Andersen finished his rookie season appearing in all 17 games with five starts and recorded 69 total tackles. The campaign provided a steady developmental foundation for a young linebacker adjusting to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
NFL Breakthrough (2023-2024)
Andersen’s second NFL season was disrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2023, after suffering a shoulder and pectoral injury in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. The setback interrupted his momentum but also gave him time to study the league and refine his craft.
He returned healthy in 2024 and delivered one of his most impactful performances in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints. Andersen recorded 16 tackles and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in a 26-24 victory, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The game showcased his range, instincts, and ball skills, marking a clear step forward in his career trajectory.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022-Present)
Since being drafted, Andersen has remained with the Atlanta Falcons as a core young piece of their linebacker corps. His combination of size, speed, and prior offensive experience has allowed defensive coordinators to deploy him in multiple roles. As he enters his fourth professional season, Andersen is expected to take on a larger leadership role within the linebacker group.
The Falcons have continued to invest in his development, and his Week 4 breakout against New Orleans highlighted the type of impact he can deliver when healthy. With the 2025 season approaching, Andersen is positioned as a defensive cornerstone in Atlanta.
Driving Style and Strengths
Andersen’s unique background as a former college quarterback gives him exceptional pre-snap recognition and an advanced understanding of offensive tendencies. His combination of size, straight-line speed, and instincts allows him to play effectively in run support and in coverage. Teammates and coaches have noted his physicality at the point of attack and his steady pursuit from sideline to sideline.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Andersen’s career milestones is his Week 4 performance in 2024, when he recorded 16 tackles and a 47-yard pick-six against the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Earlier, his first NFL start against the San Francisco 49ers in 2022 produced a 13-tackle performance in a 28-14 win, an early indicator of his NFL readiness.
Troy Andersen Career Highlights
Troy Andersen’s professional career with the Atlanta Falcons has been highlighted by steady growth, with 69 tackles as a rookie in 2022 and a signature 16-tackle, interception-return-for-touchdown performance against the New Orleans Saints in 2024. His college résumé, featuring school records and multiple All-Big Sky selections, also stands as a defining chapter of his football story.
College Highlights
Across his college career at Montana State, Andersen earned three first-team All-Big Sky selections (2018, 2019, 2020) and was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2017 and the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. As a sophomore quarterback, he rushed for a school-record 21 touchdowns, while his redshirt senior year earned him first-team FCS All-American honors and a runner-up finish for the Buck Buchanan Award. He also participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Other Performances
In high school, Andersen was a two-way star who led Beaverhead County to the Montana Class A state championship, capping his senior season with first-team All-State recognition at quarterback and safety. That two-way production foreshadowed the versatility that has become his calling card at every subsequent level.
Troy Andersen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Troy Andersen’s family is rooted in Montana ranching, and his relatives have competed in collegiate athletics. His father played college basketball at Eastern Oregon University, while his sister competed in track and field at Montana State. Andersen is a cousin of Major League Baseball pitcher Codi Heuer, marking one of the family’s notable ties to professional sports.
Personal Life
Andersen graduated from Montana State University with a degree in agricultural business in May 2021, reflecting the agricultural foundation of his upbringing in Dillon. He continues to maintain close ties to his Montana roots while pursuing his professional football career with the Atlanta Falcons.
2025 Season Performance
Troy Andersen enters the 2025 NFL season healthy and motivated following his Week 4 breakout performance against the New Orleans Saints in 2024. With another full offseason of preparation and a clearer role in Atlanta’s defense, he is expected to play a significant part in the Falcons’ linebacker rotation. His prior experience as a college quarterback continues to provide a competitive edge in reading opposing offenses.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, the Falcons have emphasized continuity on defense, and Andersen’s development aligns with that approach. If he remains healthy, projections suggest he will be a regular starter who can produce in both run defense and pass coverage. His combination of youth and production makes him a key piece of Atlanta’s defensive identity.
Looking ahead, Andersen’s versatility and football intelligence position him as a potential leader within the Falcons’ linebacker group. Continued growth in his third full season as a starter could place him among the more impactful young linebackers in the NFC, especially if he builds on the momentum established late in the 2024 campaign.