T.J. Sanders DT South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
T.J. Sanders DT South Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/24/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: NT/DT | |
| Last Updated: 04/24/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 71.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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72% |
| Pass Rush: |
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72% |
| Run Defense: |
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69% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#217
Position rank:
#40
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| College Games: 25 College Snaps: 680 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| LaBryan Ray - Alabama |
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83% |
| Zachary Carter - Florida |
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75% |
| Jacob Slade - Michigan State |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
T.J. Sanders from Marion High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Sanders joined South Carolina.In 2021 as a freshman Sanders saw action in just 2 games and played a total of 7 snaps for the Gamecocks. He recorded no tackles, no assists, while adding no stops.
As a sophomore for the Gamecocks in 2022 Sanders played in 11 games and took part in 194 snaps for the Gamecocks. He recorded just 9 tackles, 5 assists, while adding 7 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 6 total pressures, and 5 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack during the year.
In 2023 as a junior Sanders played in 12 games and contributed on 479 snaps. He recorded 31 tackles, 14 assists while making 30 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 25 total pressures, which included 15 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Sanders has the heavy hands and upper-body strength to win with power. He drops his weight and anchors well against the run, holding up at the point of attack and capable of occupying double teams.
- He has an impressive blend of length and movement skills, capable of dominating shorter interior blockers as a penetrator and showing lateral agility in addition to speed in pursuit.
- He shows good initial burst, staying low and capable of penetrating through gaps early in the down.
- Tall, solid frame with adequate length and has done a nice job losing the bad weight and firming his body.
- High-effort, thickly built defender with good strength and the leverage to create a pile. Locates_ the ball quickly and pursues with passion, showing_ good lateral agility while extending the play to the sideline.
- A high-motor pass rusher with good quickness, Sanders has a compact but wide frame and long arms.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Isn't able to consistently shed blocks and makes plays in the hole.
- Sanders doesn’t have a lot of suddenness to his game, and Sanders won’t wreck plays on a regular basis.
- His spin move is a bit slow and mechanical. He’s susceptible to cut blocks, a tactic that was used on him often
How other scouting services rate T.J. Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
220.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
40.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.