Live from the Senior Bowl: South Carolina’s TJ Sanders Lands in NFL Draft Expert’s Top 50 Prospects
MOBILE, Ala. – While much of the buzz around South Carolina last season revolved around LaNorris Sellers and the Gamecocks’ offense, their defense had its own share of game-changers. Leading the charge in the trenches? Defensive lineman TJ Sanders, a force up front who is now turning heads as an NFL Draft prospect.
After four standout years in college, Sanders is off to the NFL, and the buzz around him keeps growing. This week at the Senior Bowl, his stock has been rising fast, and now, NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has cemented his status by ranking him among his top 50 prospects.
NFL Scouts Love Sanders’ Explosiveness
Jeremiah, one of the most respected voices in the draft world, had high praise for Sanders:
“Sanders is a long, lean, and twitchy defensive tackle,” Jeremiah wrote. “He lined up all over the front in South Carolina’s scheme and is disruptive against the pass, boasting an explosive get-off. He uses his length to keep blockers off his chest, and when he keeps his pads low, he can create pocket push.”
However, like any rising prospect, there are areas for growth.
“He will get his pads a little too high at times and stall out,” Jeremiah noted. “He has the agility to wrap around blockers on stunts and games. Against the run, he can unlock his hips, shoot his hands, and hold the point of attack against single blocks. He isn’t as stout against double-teams and will get displaced at times, but he plays with high effort. Overall, Sanders is an ascending player with the ability to impact the quarterback.”
A Playmaker on the Rise
During his time at South Carolina, Sanders proved he could be a game-wrecker. His college career numbers tell the story:
- 109 total tackles
- 18 tackles for loss
- 9.5 sacks
NFL teams are always hunting for disruptive defensive linemen, and Sanders is making a strong case to be one of the top interior pass rushers in the draft. As his name continues to heat up in Senior Bowl practices, don’t be surprised if he starts climbing even higher on draft boards.
Stay tuned—Sanders’ rise is just beginning!
