Drew Sanders

Drew Sanders (born December 31, 2001) is an American football linebacker. He played college football at Alabama, where he was a member of the team that won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, before transferring to Arkansas in 2022.

Drew Sanders
Sanders at the 2023 NFL Combine
Arkansas Razorbacks – No. 42
PositionLinebacker
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born: (2001-12-31) December 31, 2001
Dallas, Texas
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight233 lb (106 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolBilly Ryan (Denton, Texas)
Career highlights and awards

Early life and high school

Sanders grew up in Denton, Texas. He initially attended Lake Dallas High School, where his father was part of the school's coaching staff, and played linebacker and quarterback. As a freshman, Sanders passed for 392 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 438 yards and eight touchdowns. At the end of the school year, he transferred to Colleyville Heritage High School after his father was hired to a coaching position there.[1] He committed to play college football at Oklahoma as a sophomore.[2] Sanders transferred a second time after his sophomore year when his father was hired at Billy Ryan High School.[3] He flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to Alabama during his junior year.[4][5] Sanders was a 5-star recruit during his senior season, and ranked the #22 player in the country by 247Sports.

College career

Sanders played mostly on special teams during his freshman season and made nine tackles.[6] As a sophomore, he became a starter in place of Christopher Allen following an injury.[7] Sanders finished the season with 24 tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two passes defended.[8] Following the end of the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.[9]

Sanders ultimately transferred to Arkansas.[10]

Sanders started at middle linebacker for Arkansas in all twelve games of the 2022 season, leading the team in tackles (103) and sacks (9.5). He was named to the 2022 College Football All-America Team and was a finalist for the Butkus Award. Sanders elected to forgo participation in the 2022 Liberty Bowl as well as his senior season to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. He is projected to be an early round pick.

References
  1. "Dual-threat QB from Lake Dallas transfers to Colleyville Heritage". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. July 8, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  2. "Denton Ryan star, Oklahoma pledge Drew Sanders talks his commitment status, Sooners' season and more". Dallas Morning News. December 12, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  3. "Oklahoma commit leaving Colleyville Heritage for district rival". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. June 26, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  4. Zenitz, Matt (April 29, 2019). "Alabama lands highly-ranked linebacker". AL.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  5. "Denton Ryan star athlete Drew Sanders switches college commitment from Oklahoma to Alabama". Dallas Morning News. April 29, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  6. "Drew Sanders is Primed for a Big Sophomore Campaign". February 26, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  7. Rodak, Mike (September 9, 2021). "Alabama's five-star OLB depth softens blow of Chris Allen injury". AL.com. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. Walsh, Erin (January 11, 2022). "Report: Alabama LB Drew Sanders, Former 5-Star Recruit, Enters Transfer Portal". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  9. Al-Khateeb, Zac (January 11, 2022). "Several Alabama players, including former 5-star linebacker Drew Sanders, enter transfer portal". Sporting News. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  10. Rittenberg, Adam (January 16, 2022). "Alabama Crimson Tide LB Drew Sanders transferring to Arkansas Razorbacks". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
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