As a senior in 1991, he won the Butkus Award as the best collegiate linebacker in the country, was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten Conference and was selected as a first-team All-American.
[2] After redshirting in 1987, Anderson started six games at inside linebacker for the 1988 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 9-2-1 record, outscored opponent 361-167, and was ranked #4 in the final AP Poll.
[4] As a sophomore, Anderson started all 12 games at inside linebacker for the 1988 Michigan team that compiled a 10-2 record, outscored opponents 335-184, and was ranked #7 in the final AP Poll.
[4] As a junior in 1990, Anderson again started all 12 games at inside linebacker for the 1990 Michigan team that compiled a 9-3 record and defeated Ole Miss in the 1991 Gator Bowl.
[6] He led the Wolverines in tackles (106) for the third straight year,[4] won the team's Frederick Matthei Award as player who displays leadership, drive and achievement on the athletic field and in the classroom, and was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker.
[7] He was also named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten Conference,[9] and he won both the Butkus Award and the Jack Lambert Trophy as the best collegiate linebacker in the country.
With eight minutes remaining in the game, he intercepted a Matt Rodgers pass that set up the game-winning touchdown in a 14-13 win for the East squad.
"[11] In each of Anderson's four years at Michigan, the Wolverines defeated Ohio State, either won outright or tied for the Big Ten Conference championship and finished no lower than #7 in the final AP polls.