NO. 41 (2ND ROUND) – DT T.J. SANDERS, SOUTH CAROLINA
In the second round, Buffalo drafted defensive tackle T.J. Sanders out of South Carolina. Sanders is known for his pass-rush ability on the interior and put together 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss during his four years with the Gamecocks.
The DT is excited to bring his high effort style of play to Buffalo.
“I think I bring a high motor,” Sanders said. “A guy who gets after it every snap. Someone who doesn’t quit on games, quit on plays…it’s a non-stop mentality.”
Like Hairston, Sanders has a basketball background first. He earned All-State honors his junior season in high school and averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. Sanders transitioned to football full-time late, so he has only six true years of experience under his belt. Beane and the scouting staff believe Sanders has high upside.
What got Sanders hooked on the game of football was getting sacks.
“I just felt alive getting that first sack and after that I just wanted more and more sacks,” Sanders said thinking back to high school. “And getting a scholarship to do that for college, now getting a chance to do that in the NFL, just going out there getting a sack, disrupting players, that’s the joy you get from playing D-line.”
Sanders is already feeling at home in Buffalo.
“I met about everybody, the D-line coach, the DC, head coach, owner, GM, just getting to know everybody,” Sanders said of his first day in the building. “I’m feeling the family vibe already. I kind of feel like this is exactly what I was looking for.”