Raw football talent blooming late in high school career for Marion’s Sanders
MARION, S.C. (BVM) — The Marion High School boys basketball team was propelled to the playoffs this season by one of their top players, TJ Sanders. A swiss army knife for the Swamp Foxes, Sanders plays some at guard, forward and center. This has generated some buzz that considers him a high-level Division II prospect.
However, Sanders recently chose to turn these offers away. Not because of a lack of passion for the game of basketball or because he expects better offers, but because he’s a Division I football recruit. As it turns out, being 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds not only offers a basketball advantage, but also makes you a physical specimen on the gridiron.
Playing defensive end, Sanders’ strength and speed make him a force on the edge. So much so, that in March, head coach Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks made him his first college offer. Sanders admits to being blown away by DI coaches calling.
“After one year I’m thinking there’s no way (I’m getting DI calls),” Sanders said. “But I kept telling myself, ‘Why not me?’”
The most intriguing part of Sanders’ football makeup though may be the fact that his potential is bursting at the seams. His first-ever season playing high school football was in 2019, his junior year. Before this, Sanders had only ever played football in middle school and his experience was the complete opposite of the success he is seeing now. He was on the offensive side of the ball, and quit.
“I was on the offensive line and I wasn’t really feeling that anymore,” Sanders said. “When I got to high school I had a friend telling me I should come back out and play, but I was more into basketball. When he asked me this year I said, ‘I’m coming, I won’t waste any more of your time.’”
The change to the defensive line has made all the difference for Sanders, but with only one year of meaningful football under his belt, there is still unlimited room for improvement. Having the raw athleticism to regularly beat his matchup off the line and pressure the quarterback or make a tackle for loss is one thing. Having the technique to do it every single time is something he hopes will come with more training.
“When I get in front of someone who actually knows what they are doing, it’s going to be harder,” Sanders said. “I can’t just go all off of instinct, I need skill at times too.”
In the meantime, head coach Randall State will be doing everything in his power to help Sanders reach his potential. Whether that be in the weight room, on the field, in the classroom – State is ready to help his emerging star. He recognizes Sanders’ bright future.
“I always knew he was a three-to-five star prospect,” State said. “I can see him playing at a Power Five school and making it to the NFL one day as long as he listens to whomever his coaches are and keeps his goals at hand.”
Other universities caught on to this gesture too, with Syracuse inviting him to a junior day, Coastal Carolina inviting him to their spring game, and both Tennessee and South Florida inquiring about the big edge rusher.
But on July 4, Sanders made his decision to stay home. The soon-to-be senior made a verbal commitment to coach Muschamp and the Gamecocks.
#ToGodBeTheGlory🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ud5dmqvE6o
— Tj Sanders (@Tj_Sanders24) July 4, 2020
With another season ahead of him, the sky’s the limit for the raw defensive end. By the sound of it, he’s ready to reach for the stars. This offseason he has dedicated his time to keeping his body in tune with strength and conditioning. And with his mind now made up, he can focus solely on playing the game he loves.
