In-state SpursUp: Marion defensive end commits to Gamecocks for 2021
It took Marion coach Randall State almost a year to get TJ Sanders on the football field.
But once he did, Sanders’ athletic ability and work ethic took over as he shined during his first varsity season last year.
In March, South Carolina was the first school to offer the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Sanders. Other Division I schools followed but Sanders stuck with the Gamecocks and committed to USC on Saturday.
Sanders is the Gamecocks’ 14th commit for Class of 2021 and third this week. He picked USC over NC State, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
“I’ve been a fan of them since growing up,” Sanders said. “My favorite thing in the way they recruited me is probably how our conversations go. it’s not always about ball.”
Sanders said he doesn’t plan to enroll early so he could continue to play basketball his senior season.
#ToGodBeTheGlory pic.twitter.com/ud5dmqvE6o
— Tj Sanders (@Tj_Sanders24) July 4, 2020
Sanders’ focus was mainly on basketball for half of his high school career after playing football in middle school. But State, who was coaching girls basketball at Marion before taking over the football program in May, saw a potential Division I recruit in the making.
Sanders finished last year with 26 tackles, five for loss and two sacks in helping the Swamp Foxes to a 7-3 record.
“We knew he was going to shine, and he came out and worked hard,” State said. “He has got the size and footwork. What you see on the basketball court, you see on the football field the way he uses his size, speed and footwork.”
It is no secret USC coach Will Muschamp loves players who play multiple sports in high school. Sanders exceled for the Marion basketball program last year and he wouldn’t be against playing the sport in college if he got the chance.
State thinks Sanders could play either inside or outside on USC’s defensive line and is just starting to scratch his potential. Sanders has been one of the team’s hardest workers over the winter and during the first part of summer workouts.
Sanders has a three-star rating in the 247Sports Composite, and is the 39th-ranked defensive tackle in the country and the No. 6 prospect in South Carolina.
“That really woke him up. I don’t think he has missed any time in the weight room since when USC offered,” State said of the USC offer on March 1. “I told him you got the size and talent to take it to the next level.”
Sanders said USC defensive line coach Tracy Rocker did not recruit him while he was at Tennessee, so they’ve been building a relationship since he arrived in Columbia in mid-February.
“He’s a fun, hard working coach and that’s the kind of coach I’m looking for. He likes my potential,” Sanders said.
Sanders is the Gamecocks’ second defensive line commit for this year, joining Nick Barrett. Eight of USC’s 14 commitments have come during June and July.
South Carolina’s 2021 class:
RB Caleb McDowell
WR Sam Reynolds
WR Omega Blake
WR Derwin Burgess
ATH Simeon Price
OL Jordan Davis
DT Nick Barrett
DL TJ Sanders
LB Bryce Steele
DB Jayden Johnson
