Ellsworth native Takota Anderson loves football. “I started playing football when I was about 5 years old. Friends, family, and neighbors would come over and we would play in the backyard,” Anderson said.

“As I grew up it went to flag, PeeWee, junior high, and then high school football.”

Anderson was a student at Ellsworth High School when he first started dreaming about playing football at the college level.

The road to success wasn’t an easy one. He started his college career at Butler Community College. That was short lived.

“I was only there for about a month before I transferred to Dodge City Community College,” Anderson said.

Playing for the Dodge City Conquistadors, Anderson had 68 tackles and two interceptions. He also got multiple offers from several colleges. He chose to go to Alderson Broaddus in Philippi, W.V. Alderson Broaddus is a NCAA Division II school.

“ I wanted to check it out since I’ve never been out of state before. I just kinda winged it and went.” Anderson said.

Anderson didn’t make an official school visit before heading east. When he got to West Virginia, he realized it was not where he wanted to be.

With another offer from Kansas Wesleyan University in his pocket, he quickly got on the phone with defensive coordinator John Michaletti and assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Bryant Beal hoping there was still a spot for him at the Salina school.

As a result, he packed up before spring break 2018 and headed back to Kansas.

He hasn’t looked back.

Anderson has had a lot of success with the Coyotes. Coaches Hendrickson and Michaletti have inspired and encouraged Anderson to keep going and strive for improvement.

“He’s got a feel for the game.” Hendrickson said.

Returning to Kansas to play football at KWU also has allowed Anderson to be close to family and friends.

“It’s nice to have family able to come to the games not being that far away,” he said.

In 2018, Anderson played an important role in KWU’s 13-1 season and the semi-finals for the NAIA Football Championship Series. In November of 2018, Anderson received first-team all-KCAC pick at defensive back. Anderson also broke the school record for interceptions that was set in 2007, a new record of eight interceptions.

Holding a school record never crossed Anderson’s mind. But now he wants to break a couple more.

Training for Anderson takes up a majority of his time with weights three times a week, foot work four times a week, and football two times a week.

He also follows a diet of lots of grains, greens, fruits, chicken, fish, protein shakes, and vitamins. Staying in shape and healthy is important to Anderson.

Anderson is getting ready to start training with Dick Sharp at Sharp Performance.

“He is probably going to get me in the best shape of my life,” Anderson said.

Anderson hopes to go pro after graduation.

“Going to a pro day and tryouts hopefully make it to a mini camp at either the CFL or NFL,” he said.

If Anderson can’t make it to play pro football he plans on using the degree in sports management he is scheduled to receive in May 2020.

“I’d like to be a fitness trainer or coach in some way,” Anderson said.

He would like to stay around here but he will go wherever the money is.

When Anderson isn’t training he likes to go hunting and hang out with family and friends. He gives encouraging words for other young men who would like to pursue a career in college and pro football.“Go for it and don’t listen to other people,” Anderson said.