South Carolina football defensive lineman earns 1st round NFL Draft grade

South Carolina football fans have seen an improved overall product on the field so far during the 2024 season, and the defense might be the biggest reason why that is the case.

The Gamecocks are among the national leaders in sacks and turnovers gained, and those big plays have been instrumental for defensive coordinator Clayton White's successful unit.

All three levels of the USC defense have had strong stretches of play, but the defensive line has been the top group so far this fall. EDGE players Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart have been menaces to opposing quarterbacks, and the deep defensive tackle rotation has been impactful.

Several of those defensive tackles have NFL futures, and one of them, redshirt junior TJ Sanders, recently was given a 1st round NFL Draft grade.

CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso has released a couple of mock NFL Draft 1st rounds over the last two weeks, and Sanders found his name mentioned in both articles. In his September 11th mock, Trapasso had Sanders going with the 21st overall pick to the Miami Dolphins, and in his September 19th update, Trapasso projected the Gamecock lineman to the Buffalo Bills with pick #30.

Sanders has another year of eligibility remaining, but if the NFL is going to come calling early for him next April, a decision to go pro could be coming. Both Miami and Buffalo run 4-man fronts, and Sanders fits the ideal archetype for a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3. He is big enough and strong enough to eat blocks inside, but his impressive athleticism allows him to get after the passer while also being a tough assignment in the run game.

During his South Carolina football career, TJ Sanders has been an important part of the Gamecock front since the end of his redshirt freshman season. He led the Gamecocks in sacks and tackles for loss in 2022, and so far in 2024, his positional partnership with Tonka Hemingway, DeAndre Jules, Boogie Huntley, and Monkell Goodwine has been formidable.

Sanders, who injured his foot last weekend against LSU, could return this weekend against Akron. The Gamecocks and Zips will kick at 7:30 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU and streamed on the ESPN app.