Gifted athlete with a chance to emerge as a franchise corner protector given his foot quickness and reactionary skills. Two-way player as a junior that was named North Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year after he kept the jersey clean of heralded quarterback recruit Jadyn Davis while adding 32 pressures and seven sacks on defense. Could probably get a look somewhere on the defensive line at the next level given what he has put on tape, but ability to neutralize speed rushers and extend the pocket suggests that he has a monster ceiling as an offensive tackle. On the lighter side now, and will need to improve play strength in the coming years as he’s hovering around 280 pounds, but has proven to be rather aggressive and physical for a leaner lineman. Tends to explode out of his stance and constantly plays with a sense of urgency as he is always looking for work. Advanced hand placement gives him an advantage in pass sets as does his proficiency in changing course and refortifying. Climbs up field with ease and is more than capable of clearing traffic on screens. Ability to anchor against much larger opponents remains a question heading into senior season as does the durability as he has dealt with both labrum and femur injuries at different points during prep career. Should be viewed as one of the top overall talents in the 2025 cycle with his tools and work ethic. Likely will need a year or two to get the body right, but has multi-year starter upside with a chance to blossom into a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
Sanders has spent plenty of time in Knoxville, Tennessee during his recruiting process, and recently took an official visit in June. He’s currently on track to graduate from Trinity Christian School in Fayetteville, North Carolina this December, meaning he’ll likely enroll early in time for spring practice at Tennessee.
There’s never a bad time to get a great player, but when it comes to high school recruiting, there are certain positions that are more valuable than others, and Sanders plays what might be the most valuable.
While there are plenty of changes in college football every year, one thing has been a constant in the transfer portal era. Every year, without fail, the top teams in the country are looking for help on the offensive line in the portal, and it’s rarely there.