T.J. Sanders DT South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
T.J. Sanders DT South Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: DT 3-TECH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/17/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 07/30/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: DT 3-TECH | |
| Last Updated: 10/17/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.95 seconds (82%*) | |
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 07/30/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.9 / 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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73% |
| Pass Rush: |
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83% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#37
Position rank:
#9
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1046 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Levi Onwuzurike - Washington |
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93% |
| Ruke Orhorhoro - Clemson |
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89% |
| DeMarvin Leal - Texas A&M |
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88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
T.J. Sanders, a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle from South Carolina, has emerged as a formidable force in the trenches. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 298 pounds, Sanders has the ideal frame for an interior defensive lineman. His journey from Marion High School to becoming a key player for the Gamecocks is a testament to his development and potential.Sanders' college career took off in 2023 when he earned Third-Team All-SEC honors from College Football Network. He appeared in all 12 games, starting seven, and led the defensive line with 43 tackles. His disruptive presence was evident with team-leading stats of 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Sanders' standout performance against Georgia, where he notched a career-high nine tackles, 2.0 TFLs, and 1.0 sack, showcased his ability to perform against top-tier competition.
Coming out of high school as a three-star recruit, Sanders has outperformed expectations. His progression from a redshirt freshman year with limited action to becoming a cornerstone of South Carolina's defense speaks volumes about his work ethic and coachability. Sanders' accolades, including the Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring award, hint at his continued upward trajectory and potential impact at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional length provides leverage advantage and disruption in passing lanes, enhancing his effectiveness in trench battles
- Impressive burst off the line for his size, allowing him to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield consistently
- Versatile defender with ability to impact both run and pass games, averaging nearly one TFL per game in 2023
- High motor player who maintains effort throughout games
- Solid tackling technique, particularly effective in wrapping up ball carriers and limiting yards after contact
- Demonstrates good hand usage to shed blocks and disrupt backfield, a crucial skill for interior linemen
- Coachable player with steady improvement trajectory from freshman to redshirt sophomore year, indicating untapped potential
- Ability to generate interior pressure, a valuable asset in today's pass-heavy NFL, as shown by his 4.5 sacks in 2023
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Slightly undersized for NFL defensive tackle standards, may struggle against double teams and power run schemes initially
- Limited starting experience with only seven starts, potentially requiring time to adjust to consistent NFL-level competition
- Pass rush repertoire still developing, could benefit from expanding move set beyond initial burst to sustain pressure
- Tendency to play high at times, affecting leverage in trench battles and ability to anchor against the run
- May need to improve lower body strength to enhance ability to hold ground against NFL-caliber offensive linemen
Scouting Report: Summary
T.J. Sanders projects as a high-upside interior defensive lineman with the potential to contribute in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. His combination of length, athleticism, and production against SEC competition bodes well for his NFL transition. Sanders' ability to penetrate and disrupt makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to bolster their interior pass rush.While he may need to add some mass to his frame to withstand the rigors of NFL trench warfare, Sanders' motor and steady improvement curve suggest he has yet to reach his ceiling. His versatility to play multiple techniques along the defensive line adds to his value, potentially allowing him to see the field in various packages as a rookie.
As Sanders continues to refine his technique and build on his impressive physical tools, he could develop into a disruptive force at the next level.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate T.J. Sanders (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
56.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*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.