2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: 2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE Texas
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Ja’Tavion Sanders, a prospect at tight end for the University of Texas. Out of Denton, Texas, Sanders Billy Ryan High School. He was a WR and DE in high school, dominating on both sides of the ball.
A 5-star recruit, the ultra-athletic and versatile Sanders received offers from the top institutions in the country. Ultimately, he decided to stay close to home and become a Longhorn.
After spending his first full season on special teams, Sanders has earned back-to-back First Team All-Big 12 honors.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2021 | Texas | Big 12 | FR | TE | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Texas | Big 12 | SO | 13 | 54 | 613 | 11.4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 613 | 11.4 | 5 | ||
| *2023 | Texas | Big 12 | JR | TE | 14 | 45 | 682 | 15.2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 46 | 694 | 15.1 | 2 |
| Career | Texas | 99 | 1295 | 13.1 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 100 | 1307 | 13.1 | 7 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Good lateral movement, both in the screen game and as a blocker
- Quick feet and great hands
- Exceptional YAC ability and is dynamic in the open field
- Fast for a TE, which can create mismatches with defenders
- Open-field blocking is solid
Weaknesses
- Not a very good blocker, hard to envision an in-line role at the next level
- More of a developmental project than other recent top-tier rookie TEs
- Not an excellent route runner, but he’s a good
- Production was solid but nothing exceptional, especially in the red zone
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Mid/Late 2nd Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
I love the idea of Sanders joining the Houston Texans at the 59th overall pick. We know Tank Dell and Nico Collins are the future at wide receiver, but Dalton Schultz is a free agent and Brevin Jordan is cheap. Sanders working in the screen game in Houston is also enticing.
Given that Dell works the short to intermediate field and Nico is an intermediate to deep threat, the Texans lack a short, check-down type player. Last year, that was a lot of Devin Singletary, but he was also carrying the load on the ground. To diversify the offense, a Schultz-type player is needed. Sanders could develop into that with a little more juice.
Though I still think Sanders will need some time to develop, getting on the field with an excellent young QB in CJ Stroud is too good to pass up. Immediate production is the name of the game, so placing him right in the middle of an ascending offense is enticing.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 4.101 to the Carolina Panthers
Sanders
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Ja’Tavion Sanders below.
