Here is TFB on ATH Ja’Tavion Sanders of Denton Ryan
Ranking: Consensus high 4-star. #40 Nationally, #5 ATH (247), #41 Nationally, #2 WDE (Rivals), #115 Nationally, #13 DE (ESPN), #2 Overall (TX Top 25)
Top Offers: Alabama, tOSU, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Notre Dame, FSU
Size: 6’4 220lbs
Projected College Position: Weakside DE/B-Backer or TE
Player Comparison: Melvin Ingram (South Carolina 2007-2011)
Analysis: Sanders is easily the top commit so far in the 2021 class in my mind. As you all know by now, this is going to be a special class, so that should give you a little bit of an idea about how good I expect this kid to be in burnt orange. Here’s my write-up on Sanders from the initial release of my Texas Top 25:
“The District 4-5A Newcomer of the Year as a Sophomore, Sanders has special potential on both sides of the ball. I saw him live at a playoff game this past season where he had over 100 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns on offense, while also adding 2 sacks from his Defensive End position. That is extremely impressive at the 5A level, and he is a very fluid athlete for his size. I view Sanders as a 5-Star talent.”
On offense, Sanders is utilized by his high school team exclusively as a Split End out wide. Despite his size, he is fast enough to run by many 5A Defensive Backs. Sanders isn’t a great route runner (he hasn’t had to be) that has the ability to flip and sink his hips to get in and out of breaks. I’ve seen him play multiple times in person and I can honestly say that I’ve never seen him drop a pass. He would need some time to adjust at the next level to being asked to block, but I don’t have any concerns about that as he is physical when he is on the other side of the ball.
On defense, Sanders relies almost solely on his athleticism to consistently beat high school Offensive Tackles. He will have to expand his pass-rush repertoire (He couldn’t ask for a better coach than Oscar Giles) and learn how to be effective once he meets some guys that are almost as equally gifted physically. Sanders is the best “screen-reader” that I have ever seen at the high school level and he is a threat to not just deflect passes, but pick them off with those excellent hands that I mentioned earlier.
Overall, this is simply a tremendous pick-up for Tom Herman and co., especially this early. Sanders has a thick lower body, but he has quick feet. His shoulders aren’t terribly broad, but he has room to play at 250lbs in the future without sacrificing much of his movement ability. Sanders at one time was believed to be an Oklahoma lean from the people that I talk to. Having teammate Billy Bowman already committed, as well as former Longhorn FB Alex De La Torre on staff at Denton Ryan certainly didn’t hurt the Horns chances in this one either.
Enjoy this one, Texas fans, you certainly should.
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