Ja'Tavion Sanders explained

Ja'Tavion Sanders
Current Team:Carolina Panthers
Number:85
Position:Tight end
Birth Date:27 March 2003
Birth Place:Napa, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:243
High School:Billy Ryan (Denton, Texas)
College:Texas (2021–2023)
Draftyear:2024
Draftround:4
Draftpick:101
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2024
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Pfr:S/SandJa01

Ja'Tavion Sanders (born March 27, 2003) is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, earning all-conference honors in 2022 and 2023.

Early life and high school

Sanders grew up in Denton, Texas and attended Billy Ryan High School, where he played basketball and was a wide receiver and defensive end on the football team.[1] He was named first team All-District 4-5A Division 1 at defensive end after recording 39 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes broken up while also catching 47 passes for 763 yards and 7 touchdowns on offense.[2] Sanders had 63 receptions for 1,161 yards and 16 touchdown receptions with three rushing touchdowns while also recording four sacks and an interception on offense and was named the co-MVP of District 5-5A Division 1.[3] [4] Sanders was rated a five-star recruit as an athlete and committed to play college football at Texas over offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.[5]

College career

Sanders joined the Texas Longhorns as an early enrollee in 2021 and played on both offense and defense during preseason practices.[6] The team's coaching staff ultimately decided that he would play tight end.[7] Sanders played in all 12 of the Texas's games during his freshman season, primarily on special teams.[8] Sanders entered his sophomore season as the Longhorns' primary tight end after transfer Jahleel Billingsley was suspended for the team's first six games.[9] [10] Sanders was twice-named All-Big 12 before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft following the team's loss in the 2024 Sugar Bowl.[11]

College statistics

Texas Longhorns
YearGRecYdsAvgTD
202112000.00
2022135461311.45
2023144568215.22
Career39991,29513.17

Professional career

Sanders was selected 101st overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 NFL draft.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fields . John . August 25, 2022 . Former Ryan standout Ja'Tavion Sanders makes list of breakout candidates . October 16, 2022 . Denton Record-Chronicle.
  2. Web site: Texas football now has a five-star commit in 2021 recruiting class. Cami. Griffin. Longhorns Wire. USA Today. February 27, 2020. October 16, 2022.
  3. Web site: Moyle . Nick . August 10, 2022 . Texas Longhorns: Ja'Tavion Sanders up to coach's challenge . October 16, 2022 . Houston Chronicle.
  4. Web site: Longhorns working hard to get Ja'Tavion Sanders 'up to speed' in fall camp. Jeff. Hall. 247Sports.com. August 8, 2021. October 16, 2022.
  5. Web site: Hoyt . Joseph . September 8, 2019 . Denton Ryan's Ja'Tavion Sanders commits to Texas, joining fellow four-star teammate Billy Bowman Jr. . October 16, 2022 . The Dallas Morning News.
  6. Web site: Moyle . Nick . August 10, 2021 . Texas freshmen Ja'Tavion Sanders, Xavier Worthy already showing flashes . October 16, 2022 . San Antonio Express-News.
  7. Web site: Fisher . Ross . March 24, 2022 . Texas spring breakout candidates: Versatile Ja'tavion Sanders to settle into role as tight end . October 16, 2022 . The Dallas Morning News.
  8. Web site: Ja'Tavion Sanders could be next great Red River tight end. Cedric. Golden. Austin American-Statesman. October 6, 2022. October 16, 2022.
  9. Web site: Moyle . Nick . October 4, 2022 . Texas has been waiting for a tight end like Ja'Tavion Sanders . October 16, 2022 . Houston Chronicle.
  10. Web site: Steve Sarkisian Reveals Longhorns TE Plan for Ja'Tavion Sanders & Jahleel Billingsley. Zach. Dimmitt. SI.com. October 11, 2022. October 16, 2022.
  11. Web site: Thamel . Pete . Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders declares for NFL draft . ESPN . 8 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Eberts . Wescott . 2024-04-27 . Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders selected with the No. 101 pick by the Carolina Panthers . 2024-06-08 . Burnt Orange Nation . en.