TJ Sanders Declares for NFL Draft After South Carolina’s Citrus Bowl Loss
South Carolina defensive lineman TJ Sanders confirmed on Tuesday that his time with the Gamecocks has come to an end, as he sets his sights on an NFL career.
“Oh yeah, I’m gone,” Sanders told reporters following South Carolina’s 21-17 loss to Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
The junior standout, who had one year of eligibility remaining, joins teammate Nick Emmanwori in leaving early for the NFL. Emmanwori, a safety, played only the first half of Tuesday’s game before exiting.
Reflecting on his decision and his time at South Carolina, Sanders grew emotional but credited teammate Demetrius Knight for helping him regain composure. Signed in 2021 out of Marion High School, Sanders expressed gratitude for the program that gave him his first opportunity.
“They brought me in. They were my first offer,” Sanders said. “The loyalty and the trust that they put in me, I just felt that I had to instill back into them, and I felt that they did that.”
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman showcased his talent in the Citrus Bowl, starting and playing all four quarters, finishing with two tackles. His 2024 season was a career-best, with 50 tackles (seven for loss), four sacks, and six quarterback hurries. Over his career, Sanders played in 39 games, amassing 109 tackles.
A second-team All-SEC selection, Sanders has caught the attention of NFL scouts. Mock drafts from CBS Sports analysts Mike Renner, Chris Trapasso, and Ryan Wilson project Sanders as a first-round pick. If that happens, he would become the first Gamecock defensive tackle to go in the first round since Javon Kinlaw in 2020.
Players with eligibility remaining have until January 6 to declare for the NFL Draft and until February 7 to reconsider. But for Sanders, the decision seems final. His focus now shifts to preparing for the next chapter of his football journey.
