When it comes to his football career, Nick Anderson has always had an eye on the future. One year ago, it led him to bet on himself by signing with Jones County Junior College. And, on Wednesday, it led him to make what he called a “40-year decision” when choosing his next stop.

Anderson, the former Vicksburg High linebacker, signed with Tulane on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period for football. The former student council president who graduated high school with a 4.5 GPA said he chose Tulane as much for its academic reputation as its up-and-coming football program.

“Tulane was more of a 40-year decision than a four-year decision. The academics at Tulane are outstanding, and then the connections they have to NFL teams and things such as that. A lot of their players are graduate assistants, so it shows that they take care of their players after football,” said Anderson, who plans to major in business. “Football is going to be here. I hope to go to the NFL. But if God has alternate plans, I know that a degree from Tulane will carry me after football.”

Anderson was a two-time Vicksburg Post Defensive Player of the Year when he was in high school, and continued his outstanding play during one season at Jones.

The 6-foot, 230-pounder led the Bobcats to a state runner-up finish and a 10-2 record by totaling a team-high 74 total tackles. He also had two sacks and 8 ½ tackles for loss. Anderson was a first-team All-MACJC South Division selection and an honorable mention NJCAA All-American.

He turned down offers to sign with Alcorn State, Prairie View A&M and Central Arkansas out of high school, and was rewarded with another set of offers this year.

“It paid off. It really did. I questioned it at first. I kind of self-doubted myself and wondered if I’d really be able to do this. But I put my trust in God. I went down there with a humble attitude and ready to work,” Anderson said. “I got down there and (Jones assistant) Coach (Dwike) Wilson went over the defense with me. I didn’t break the starting lineup until a week before the season, but I busted my butt the whole season and did whatever Coach Wilson needed me to do. I had great teammates and great coaches. I wouldn’t trade my time at Jones for anything.”

Anderson’s final list came down to Tulane, Ole Miss, South Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe. He had originally committed to South Alabama but announced on social media last week that he was re-evaluating his options.

At a signing ceremony Wednesday evening at Vicksburg City Hall, Anderson grabbed a shoebox with two hats in it. He pulled out an Ole Miss hat, quickly tossed it to the side, and then put on a powder blue Tulane hat.

“I was considering Ole Miss. They had come backward and forward the whole year,” Anderson said. “I thought Tulane was going to be a better opportunity for me to come in and play rather than battle it out for a position. Tulane is a good conference to go into, too. It was better for me on and off the field.”

On the field, Anderson said he was excited to join an up-and-coming program. The Green Wave finished 7-6 this season and beat Louisiana-Lafayette 41-24 in the Cure Bowl last weekend in Orlando, Florida.

Tulane finished in a three-way tie with Memphis and Houston for the American Athletic Conference West Division championship — Memphis won the tiebreaker and played Central Florida in the AAC championship game — and earned its first bowl victory since 2002. It was the program’s first bowl game since 2013.

“Another thing I liked about Tulane is the whole team is young. They just won their bowl game against ULL,” Anderson said. They’ll also give me an opportunity to come in and earn a starting position, which would be big for me. I would be starting for three years. I’ve been working my butt off since I got home from Jones and I’m working so I can learn the playbook, do what I’ve got to do and see where that takes me.”

Tulane coach Willie Fritz said at a press conference on Wednesday that Tulane’s recent success and the exposure it brings helped to bolster its early signing class. Tulane signed 21 players on Wednesday, from nine different states.

“I think it helped us, I really do. One of the great things about us, too, is that I believe every one of our games was on TV. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, CBS Sports Network,” Fritz said. “So they have an opportunity to watch us every single weekend. That helps us. Where we’re at, like I said when I first got here, there’s no reason why we can’t win. We’ve got great academics to sell, a great city to sell, and we’re in the middle of all these great players. So a lot of them can drive in and watch us play.”

Overall, Anderson was simply excited to get a chance to fulfill a dream of playing Division I football. He thanked his mother, Emmarie Flaggs, and his coaches at Jones and VHS for providing the framework for his opportunity, and a higher power for pushing him forward even further.

“It’s a great day. After playing at Vicksburg High I always dreamed of playing Division I football, and I took the alternate route of going to junior college for a year. I knew that I was going to be able to take care of business,” Anderson said. “I have to give all the glory to God. To do what I did this year, that’s nothing but God. Without Him none of this would be possible.”