One of two Appalachian State seniors that originally elected to forego his final season of eligibility after earning a bachelor’s degree last December but decided to return to the squad while pursuing an MBA this fall (Adam Scott being the other) …  is by far the team’s most experienced linebacker … hard-nosed, high-energy veteran played a pivotal role in Appalachian’s linebacking corps last season, including two starts at weakside linebacker … will compete for a starting role at inside linebacker in Appalachian’s new 3-4 scheme this season … is a three-time academic all-Southern Conference honoree … did not participate in spring practice while on what turned out to be a temporary hiatus from the team.

2012: Appeared in 11 games … saw action mainly as a reserve, aside from a three-game stretch from Oct. 20-Nov. 3 when he played extensively at weakside linebacker in place of injured starter Brandon Grier … was spectacular in Grier’s absence with 10 tackles apiece versus Wofford, at Western Carolina and at Georgia Southern … made the first two starts of his career in the road wins at WCU and top-ranked GSU … more than three-quarters of his tackles on the season came during that three-game stretch (30-of-39) … 39 tackles were good for a tie for eighth on the team and were tops among players that started fewer than seven games … had four stops in the season-opener at East Carolina … earned academic all-Southern Conference recognition for the third-straight year in honor of his achievements on the field and in the classroom.

2011: Saw action in all 12 games, primarily as one of the squad’s top special-teams performers … finished the season with 22 tackles, the most on the team among players that did not make any starts on defense … ranked second on the squad with 11 special-teams tackles (seven on kickoffs, four on punts) … made the most out of extended playing time at linebacker with a season-high-tying six tackles in home wins over North Carolina A&T and Samford … was in on a tackle for loss against Samford … made two stops in season opener at No. 13 (AP) Virginia Tech … had three solo tackles in win over Savannah State … made two key stops in kick coverage during 24-17 win over No. 1 Georgia Southern … had two tackles in regular-season home finale versus Western Carolina and one in second-round playoff loss to Maine … earned academic all-Southern Conference recognition for achievements on the field and in the classroom.

2010: Played in 11 games, primarily on special teams ... recorded 12 tackles on the campaign, with the majority coming in kick and punt coverage ... turned in one of the Mountaineers’ most pivotal plays of the season in his very first collegiate game when he recovered a fumble by Chattanooga kickoff returner Buster Skrine and returned it 18 yards to set up an Appalachian touchdown that pulled ASU within seven points at 35-28 — the Mountaineers went on to complete the rally from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit and top UTC, 42-41 ... saw extensive playing time at linebacker versus North Carolina Central and recorded a career-high four tackles (a total he matched in postseason-opening victory over Western Illinois) ... was also in on a sack versus NCCU ... recorded a tackle for loss versus The Citadel ... assisted on another sack in rout over Wofford ... notched second fumble recovery of the season on a kickoff in season-ending loss to Villanova ... earned academic all-Southern Conference recognition for achievements on the field and in the classroom.

2009: Redshirted.

High School: Garnered all-state recognition from the Associated Press and Texas Sports Writers Association as a senior in 2008 ... recorded 195 tackles, one-and-a-half sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown as a senior at Pilot Point H.S. in Pilot Point, Texas (60 miles north of Dallas) ... named 2008 District 10-2A Defensive MVP ... coached by Blake Feldt ... also lettered twice in track and field.

Personal: Full name is Karl Ronald Anderson ... born Oct. 21, 1990 (turns 23 during season) ... son of Linda Bush and Gary Anderson ... currently pursuing a master of business administration (MBA) degree ... graduated from Appalachian State with a bachelor’s degree in communication/electronic media-broadcasting in December 2012 … enjoys film-making and put that passion to work as a video production intern with the Appalachian IMG Sports Network during the summer of 2012 ... member of Appalachian State athletics’ and Southern Conference academic honor rolls … compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the 2012 fall semester.