Grambling State Stars Excited To Battle LSU
ATLANTA -- Sundiata Anderson is a legitimate NFL prospect and one of the most regarded defensive players in the SWAC. He'll have the chance to prove his case on Saturday as Grambling State will take on the No. 5 team in college football, the LSU Tigers.
"I've been going to work preparing myself for this game," Anderson told HBCU Legends. "I've really been working since last year. Of course, I was primarily focused the previous week on Hampton, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.
"The moment's never too big. So I'm just ready to go there and do my thing."
Anderson finished with six tackles in the season opener against the Pirates, and his running mate, linebacker Lewis Matthews, tied for the team lead with eight. Both guys are excited to play in front of a packed house in Baton Rouge, along with the rest of the Grambling State defense.
"Just the opportunity to make your name. Playing on television against one of the biggest conferences and some of the best guys in college football," Anderson said regarding what the defense is excited about. "But our main focus is about doing your job. We have a pretty good game plan heading into Saturday."
The defense isn't the only side excited to play against LSU. Fresh off of a 302-yard, two-touchdown performance, Quarterback Myles Crawley says the offense wants to make the most of the opportunity.
"Everybody's been excited," Crawley said. "It's a big stage. We have a lot of guys on our team who feel like they can compete and play at the next level. This is a big game for the team to show that we can play, too. I know HBCU football is sometimes treated like an afterthought, but we want to show that HBCUs can compete too, and the competition level is still the same."
Crawley is no stranger to big games; as a member of Alabama State, he went 16-for-27 with 177 yards, a touchdown and an interception against UCLA, passing for more yards than Ethan Garbers (164) and current NFL quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (101). The Hornets lost the game 45-7, but that doesn't diminish what Crawley did against a Power 5 defense.
Now, as the starter for Grambling, Crawley has NFL aspirations and embraces playing in big games. And he'll get another chance to prove himself against a team from what's seen as the best conference in college football.
There are several players the Grambling offense has to account for on the LSU defensive front. Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith are preseason All-SEC First Team defensive linemen and Harold Perkins is a First Team linebacker. The offensive line will be tested, but Crawley isn't worried.
"I'm not going to take that away from them. They are excellent pass rushers who will get some push up front," Crawley said. "But I like my guys as well. It's going to be a physical game. With the defense being so efficient, I'll have to get the ball out quicker, but it's just another challenge."
Anderson and the Grambling defense also have some firepower to contend with on the LSU offense. Offensive linemen Will Campbell and Emery Jones are preseason All-SEC selections and quarterback Jayden Daniels has the early lead for best signal-caller in the SEC. Daniels is also a running threat, meaning there's a chance he and Anderson could meet on the edge.
"He's a great player," Anderson said about Daniels. "And my favorite thing to do is chase guys down. I would like to see my speed against his. It's not too many quarterbacks that can get away from me.
"But he's a great player and quarterback, not to mention he's in the Heisman race. I'm thankful to play against him."
Talent is everywhere, and the likes of Anderson, Crawley and Matthews are already on NFL teams' radar to varying degrees. But the national perception is that LSU's best players, especially Daniels, Smith, Jones and others, are considered bonafide NFL talents. If Grambling's talents put on a good showing against the No; 5 team in the country, it'll surely help their draft profiles.
The Battle of the Tigers takes place in Death Valley at 6:30 PM CT. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.