Scouting Report: South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders – The Next Big Name on the Defensive Line?
With the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, all eyes are on South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders, a disruptive force who has steadily climbed up draft boards. The redshirt junior, standing at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, has turned heads with his versatility, quickness, and high-energy playstyle.
The Rise of T.J. Sanders
Hailing from Marion, S.C., Sanders took the in-state route to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks and has made a name for himself as a dominant presence on the defensive front. After redshirting as a freshman, he burst onto the scene, racking up 93 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks over the last two seasons. His production earned him Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2024 after being a Third-Team selection in 2023.
His versatility is one of his most valuable assets. Sanders has lined up everywhere on the defensive front—from nose tackle to the edge—showing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
What Makes Sanders a Standout Prospect?
Watching the film, Sanders’ explosiveness and relentless motor pop off the screen. He possesses a quick first step, uses his hands well, and can disrupt plays in the backfield with a variety of pass-rush moves.
- Strength & Quickness: Sanders has the strength to drive blockers back with a bull rush while also possessing the quickness to slip through gaps and chase down ball carriers.
- Pass-Rush Arsenal: He has active hands, utilizing swim, rip, and swipe moves to disengage from blockers and collapse the pocket.
- Sideline-to-Sideline Effort: His high motor never stops, and he has the speed to chase plays down from behind, even near the sidelines.
One highlight play from his 2024 season against Ole Miss shows Sanders using a swim move to burst through the line and pressure the quarterback—a prime example of his ability to create havoc up front.
Where He Can Improve
Despite his talent, Sanders still has areas to refine at the next level:
- Leverage Issues: At times, he plays too upright, exposing his chest to blockers and getting neutralized.
- Consistency Against Double Teams: When facing bigger, stronger linemen, he can get overwhelmed in certain situations.
- Finishing Power: While he can generate pressure, his ability to consistently convert pressures into sacks needs improvement.
A prime example of this came in a 2024 matchup against LSU, where Sanders got too tall off the snap, lost his balance, and was pushed to the ground instead of finishing the play.
NFL Projection: A Potential Game-Changer on Day 2
Sanders has all the tools to be a disruptive force in the NFL, but his success will depend on refining his technique and improving his consistency. His best pro comparison? Osa Odighizuwa, the Dallas Cowboys’ third-round pick in 2021, who has thrived as a twitchy, high-energy defensive lineman.
With teams always searching for explosive interior linemen, Sanders projects as a solid Day 2 pick (3rd Round) with the upside to develop into a starting-caliber player. The Pittsburgh Steelers, in particular, could benefit from adding him to their defensive front as they look to bolster their run defense and interior pass rush.
Final Grade: 7.8 – Potential Starter/High-Quality Rotational Player (3rd Round Projection)
