Nick Anderson spent his first 23 summers in Mississippi and Louisiana. He’ll spend the 24th in Canada.

The Vicksburg native and former Tulane football star made the final roster for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Elks, and he’ll start at linebacker for their regular-season opener June 8 against Saskatchewan.

The 24-year-old signed with the Elks in March. He started at weakside linebacker in the team’s first preseason game against Saskatchewan on May 25 and had a team-high four tackles and two tackles for loss. He started the second preseason game against the BC Lions, as well, but did not have a tackle.

“The beginning of something special,” Anderson said.

Anderson, a former Vicksburg High star, played college football at Tulane. He accumulated 275 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his career, and led the Green Wave to a 12-2 record and No. 9 ranking in 2022 — capped off by a victory over Southern California in the Cotton Bowl.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFL’s New Orleans Saints following the 2023 NFL draft. Anderson played in all three of the Saints’ 2023 preseason games and had eight tackles, but was released when the final cuts were made at the end of training camp.

Rookie & The Vet… Year ✌🏾 #FA1TH💙 pic.twitter.com/cONDgvHpxW

— Nicholas Anderson (@NickAnderson14_) May 28, 2024