South Carolina Football: 8 Gamecocks with eligibility who might not return in 2024
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football players who might not return in 2024:
Defensive Lineman TJ Sanders
A depth player before this season, TJ Sanders has emerged as a big-time contributor in 2023. He is big enough and strong enough to play inside as a defensive tackle and athletic enough to get some defensive end snaps in certain situations.
Sanders has had his best games against Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, and Missouri (the best offensive lines he faced), indicating that he has even more in the tank as a prospect. In those four games against many future NFL linemen, Sanders racked up 24 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
His versatility has also made him an intriguing NFL Draft prospect. In recent weeks, the Gamecock defense has started to employ a 3-3-5 look, and Sanders has played some as a defensive end in the 3-man front. His ability to play defensive tackle in even fronts and defensive end in odd looks means that any NFL organization could draft him, regardless of scheme.
It is not a foregone conclusion that Sanders will be a professional next season, but he will have a decision to make this spring. Several NFL Draft projections have had Sanders mocked as high as a Day 2 (rounds 2-3) selection, and plenty more believe he would be taken on Day 3 (rounds 4-7).
It seems most likely that Sanders would be a later pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so another year in garnet and black could be beneficial to big #90. South Carolina football fans will be eagerly awaiting his decision this offseason.