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OCILLA, GA --
Former Georgia offensive lineman Justin Anderson is known to most as just “Bean”.

At 6’4 and pushing 340 pounds, the grandfather-given nickname may not completely fit Anderson's size, but it's spot on if you get to know him.

“He’s really a big baby. He’s a teddy bear. He doesn’t want any publicity or anything. He just wants to be “Bean,” Anderson’s mother Loretta White said.

“I must say, starting out…he hated football. Everybody had to play a sport he didn’t want to play anything,” sister Shaneka White said.

Too clumsy for basketball and tennis, Bean was smart enough to stick with football. Now after a turnaround senior season with the Bulldogs, Anderson is days away from becoming the third Ocilla-native to reach the NFL.

“The NFL has always been a dream of mine, but I didn’t think it would come true,” Anderson said.

The NFL remained just a dream due to a difficult junior season. After a move to the defensive side of the ball, Anderson’s professional football hopes were halted in the first game against Louisiana- Lafayette. Anderson registered one tackle as turf toe shut him down for the season.

“He had a whole year to sit out…and just get his mind together on things. He said he was going to make this (senior) year his best,” Anderson’s dad Tony White said.

"Bean" is a man of his words- Anderson started all 14 games this season on the Georgia offensive line, and is projected as a mid to late-round pick in the 2012 draft.

“Justin is one of my favorites…he’s done it right. I’m just so thankful he’s going to get a chance to play in the NFL, and I hope he gets drafted high and has a great career,” UGA Head Football Coach Mark Richt said.

Hope also remains with the family that knows “Bean” best. The family will be waiting on one call this weekend that will set off a range of emotions.

“I’m a water-bag so I’m probably going to cry…that’s the first thing I’m going to do...I’m going to cry. I’m going to just be excited.” Loretta White said.

“It’s going to be a big relief off of my shoulders I tell you that. I can finally relax once I get that call,” Anderson said.