FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: T.J. Sanders
6-foot-4 | 290 pounds
Background
A South Carolina local and three-star recruit who redshirted after playing seven snaps in 2021, T.J. Sanders rotated in over 233 snaps the following year, finishing with 16 tackles and a sack.
Stepped into the starting lineup as a redshirt sophomore, posting 43-10.0-4.5 over 479 snaps. Sanders has been similarly productive thus far this season, despite playing fewer snaps to date.
Positives
Productive two-year SEC starter. Tall, long-limbed defensive lineman who carries his weight well and typically plays as more of a three-technique. Smooth mover with good quickness and flexibility. A patient player who has the disciplined approach to function effectively as a two-gap lineman. His good knee bend allows him to compete in the leverage battle on the inside.
Contact balance is better than anticipated for a defensive tackle who’s a bit taller and thinner than usual. Sanders flashes the ability to use his length to lock out opposing blockers, locate the football and shed in time to make the tackle. Shows an above-average range when flowing laterally in the run game. Fires out low and with some explosiveness in his first step. Keeps his feet churning when bull-rushing, bringing enough intensity as a power rusher in the passing game.
Sandres has impressive suddenness to cross an opponent’s face; does a good job of setting them up and getting penetration, usually with a swim move, but does vary his approach and has other effective moves. Once he finds a lane, his balance, agility and speed in pursuit are very good for an interior lineman, showing a solid motor and good conditioning. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes.
Negatives
Can get his shoulders turned a bit too easily at times in the run game when trying to scrape down the line in pursuit against outside rushes. Occasionally lapses into throwing his body around, rather than using his length to lock out opponents.
Sanders struggles to hold the point of attack when double-teamed. A bit more mild-mannered than some of the other top linemen in the class, winning primarily with athleticism and technique rather than brute force.
Summary
Sanders is a pleasant surprise in that he’s built more like an athletic five-technique, but showed he is capable of taking on blocks and two-gapping in the run game from the interior of the defensive line.
A technically polished player who has an impressive combination of length, balance, awareness and hand use, allowing him to hold the point of attack and locate the ball-carrier on early downs.
Shows strong conditioning and a nice motor in the passing game, with a variety of rush moves and a good level of activity to create pressure. Might be best as a five-technique in a two-gap odd front, but could play inside on an even front as well.
Projection: Round 1/Round 2
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
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