Shavane Anderson Jr. adds to William Penn HS’ Division I running back pipeline
Syracuse three-star commit Shavane Anderson Jr. finished third on William Penn's all-time rushing yards leaderboard, preparing him for his time at SU. Courtesy of Shavane Anderson Jr.
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The all-time rushing yards record at William Penn High School in Pennsylvania has become a turnstile recently. It stood for 30 years before it was broken in 2016 and broken again in 2022.
Now, William Penn senior and Syracuse football commit Shavane Anderson Jr. has joined the leaderboard. He sits in third after concluding his high school career.
Anderson’s coaches always thought he’d reach those heights.
“When I saw him for the first time, I was like, ‘yeah, he’s gonna be the next one,’” William Penn head coach Russell Stoner said.
Anderson’s impressive career totals — including 1,169 yards as a senior — with the Bearcats aided his recruiting process. Per 247Sports, he’s rated a three-star prospect and the No. 39 2026 prospect in Pennsylvania. Anderson committed to Syracuse while on a visit during its Week 2 win over UConn, adding to a running back room led by sophomore Yasin Willis.
“It was an immediate decision,” Anderson said. “The team and the atmosphere around was exactly what I was looking for.”
Anderson’s journey with William Penn began well before his freshman year. Khalid Dorsey, now the Bearcats’ running backs coach after initially breaking their rushing record in 2016, remembers Anderson as an 8-year-old spending time around the team during practice.
“Ever since I’ve known him, he’s just been a happy guy. He’s always got a smile on his face,” Dorsey said.
Anderson first met Stoner in middle school and joined the program soon after, earning varsity minutes as a freshman. Stoner said Anderson lacked confidence that year, though. It took him most of the season to acclimate to high school football.
Everything changed at the start of his sophomore season. When Bearcats starting running back Jaysier Maldonado got injured before the campaign, Anderson was promoted to the starting role against Harrisburg High School, one of the top programs in the state.
During that game, Anderson rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Despite William Penn losing 50-20, Anderson had found his confidence, Stoner said.
He continued his performance throughout the season, which garnered multiple FBS offers. It looked like they’d keep coming — until they didn’t.
Anderson’s production reduced significantly in his junior year, largely due to William Penn’s inexperienced offensive line, Stoner and Dorsey said. It was enough for nearly every school to retract its offer. Anderson’s only remaining interest was from Kent State, Old Dominion and Syracuse, which was the only Power Four program still in the mix.
When I saw him for the first time, I was like, yeah, he’s gonna be the next one.Russell Stoner, William Penn football head coach
Heading into his final season with the Bearcats this fall, 247Sports rated Anderson a three-star prospect — good enough to regain attention from FBS programs.
He returned to the field in a big way. On Aug. 29, Anderson exploded against Hempfield High School. He recorded two touchdowns, including a 95-yard kick return score that sent the game to overtime before promptly housing a slant route for his third score to win the game.
But the biggest development from his 300 all-purpose-yard game was that it caught Syracuse’s attention. Stoner said SU invited Anderson to visit for its home opener with the Huskies following his performance.
There, Anderson committed to the Orange in the middle of the game.
“Coach Brown told me to come down, and I knew I didn’t have to go anywhere else,” Anderson said.
“Shavane’s always loved Syracuse,” Stoner added. “That’s where he wants to go, and there are plenty of people there who are really recognizing the player he is.”
Since then, Anderson finished his high school career strong. On Oct. 24, Anderson had another standout game against rival Central York High School, where he rushed for 252 yards and a touchdown. He also added a one-handed receiving score.
With the season now over, Anderson turned his attention to the transition to Syracuse next fall. He said he’s spent hours in the weight room and is putting in the necessary work to fit in when he arrives.
“Shavane’s always been a gym rat,” Dorsey said. “He’s always sending me drills he wants to do and finding ways to better himself.”
Through his dedication on and off the field, Anderson’s coaches know his future is bright.
“Not only is Syracuse getting a great player, but they are getting a great guy,” Stoner said. “I can’t wait to see what he does at Syracuse.”
