It’s time to buy stock in TJ Sanders, Gamecocks coaches and players say
T.J. Sanders’ performance has drawn rave reviews from the South Carolina coaching staff and teammates this spring.
Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer on Tuesday praised the redshirt freshman defensive lineman. Some of his teammates, including fellow Marion County native Xavier Legette, talked about the growth the team has seen from Sanders since he arrived on campus last June.
“I have been buying stock in T.J. Sanders since like mid-October of last year because I saw what he did on the scout team late all last season,” Beamer said. “It was to the point late in the year, the defensive coaches will tell you, I told them you need to watch what T.J. Sanders is doing in practice. Because he is a guy who continues to get better.”
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Sanders appeared in just two games last season, the opener against Eastern Illinois and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina. But he made his mark on the scout team and went up against veteran offensive linemen such as Jovaughn Gwyn and Eric Douglas.
“He was a bear in practice for our offensive line to block last year. He and Jakeem Green were our two scout team defensive tackles and it was great for our offensive line to go against them each day,” Beamer said. “He worked to get better last year and had a great winter in the weight room. He is a guy who continues to impress.”
Sanders was one of the last commitments for USC under former coach Will Muschamp. He waited until the second signing period in February 2021 to sign and didn’t enroll early so he could finish his high school sports career at Marion High School.
Sanders’ first love was basketball, and he was an all-state selection in basketball and football his senior year of high school. He still occasionally will get up shots and gave his opinion on a possible hoops starting five of Gamecocks football players while speaking with reporters Wednesday — that included him, Jordan Burch, Chad Terrell, Josh Vann and Tonka Hemingway.
Sanders stopped playing football after middle school but resumed before his junior season of high school. He had a big senior season at Marion and helped the Swamp Foxes to the Class 2A championship game.
Because of the lack of reps and getting acclimated to the college game, he called the speed of the action “mind-blowing” and said his technique was not close to where it needed to be.
“Last year, the adjustment period was really tough on me and I felt I had to get better every day,” Sanders said. “Getting blocked is something I didn’t want to have happened to me. And the best way to avoid that is perfecting my craft.
“... Since then it has slowed down — I feel like my hands, my eyes, my technique in general. I have to give credit where credit is due. My coaches and my teammates have prepared me for the situation I am in now.”
Sanders credits older guys like Gwyn and others for giving him pointers throughout last season.
Sanders’ growth could be a big asset for the defensive line, which is looking to replace Jabari Ellis and JJ Enagbare from last year’s squad. Both players had a knack of rushing the passer, which is something Sanders feels like he can contribute this season.
“Definitely on third down, I am definitely one of the better pass rushers on the defensive tackle group and can start my career there and show how good I am rushing the quarterback,” Sanders said.
USC spring football game
What: Garnet & Black spring game
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 16
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium
Watch: Streaming on SEC Network Plus
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM.
