Myjai Sanders, ex-UC Bearcats defensive end, signs four-year deal with Arizona Cardinals
The fifth Cincinnati Bearcats player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft was defensive end and edge rusher Myjai Sanders, who went to the Arizona Cardinals in the third round with the 100th overall pick.
On Wednesday, the Cardinals announced that Sanders signed a four-year contract:
We have signed LB Myjai Sanders to a four-year contract.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 18, 2022
Sanders tweeted last week that he'll wear No. 41 in Arizona:
— IAmMyjaiSlatt (@MyjaiSanders) May 12, 2022
From the Cardinals via Twitter:
The work has just begun. pic.twitter.com/3VnUhRayDb
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 14, 2022
"He's got to add on a little weight," ESPN's Booger McFarland said of Sanders when he was drafted. "You talk about a guy that's twitchy coming off the edge. A first step maybe - maybe - only second to (New York Giants first-round pick) Kayvon Thibodeaux. That's the type of first step that this young man possesses. Right now, he's gotta be a situational pass rusher until you can improve that frame and add some physicality and strength. But in a league where it's almost 65 to 70 percent pass, he can definitely contribute early on."
"Look, he's 228 pounds. There was probably a time in college when I was 228 pounds," ESPN's Louis Riddick said during the . "He's dealing with (Alabama's) Evan Neal in the playoffs - and he's standing him up at the point of attack. And I'm going, 'How is he doing this at 228 pounds?' He has got a lot of ability as a pure rusher and someone you would assume is gonna get a little bit bigger and a little big bulkier and get a little bit stronger. But a lot of natural skills."
The two Bearcats drafted in the second round were receiver Alec Pierce (Indianapolis Colts) and safety Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs). Quarterback Desmond Ridder was selected by the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the third round.
Social media reactions:
Myjai Sanders became the fifth Cincinnati player selected in the first 100 picks of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Here’s Bearcats coach Luke Fickell on the new Arizona Cardinals edge rusher: pic.twitter.com/xgO5pkkmlF— Keith Jenkins (@MrKeithJenkins) April 30, 2022
That's 5️⃣
Myjai Sanders goes to the Cardinals with pick No. 100. https://t.co/kzeVZASKkL pic.twitter.com/7YXDfANC0y— Keith Jenkins (@MrKeithJenkins) April 30, 2022
🕺 @MyjaiSanders is dancing his way out to Phoenix and the @AZCardinals!#Bearcats | #NFLDraft | #BirdCityFootball
pic.twitter.com/oV9wY5HTiP— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) April 30, 2022
With the 100th pick in the 2022 #NFLDraft, the @AZCardinals select @MyjaiSanders‼️#Bearcats | #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/lxM8Fs7soh
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) April 30, 2022
Let’s Hunt!! Congrats @MyjaiSanders https://t.co/uOHxRmJJ8o
— Markus Golden (@markusgolden) April 30, 2022
With the 100th pick in the 2022 Draft, the Cardinals select DE Myjai Sanders pic.twitter.com/f3XXW5s9r3
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 30, 2022
Schools with the most Top 100 picks:
Georgia (8)
Alabama (6)
Cincinnati (5)
Just remarkable evaluation and development by Luke Fickell and staff.— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) April 30, 2022
“Look at us. We did it.”
Watch as @MyjaiSanders and his family celebrate getting selected by the @AZCardinals.#Bearcats | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/4GAn1PW5cD— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) April 30, 2022
Defensive end for the @AZCardinals. World-class dancer. @MyjaiSanders is a man of many talents. 🕺
Watch Let It Fly: https://t.co/fHI9moVVLx#Bearcats | #NFLDraft | #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/NVsr6p12l9— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) April 30, 2022
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Myjai Sanders, UC Bearcats DE, signs Arizona Cardinals' four-year deal
