Arkansas LB Sanders to skip bowl, get in draft
10:30 AM ET Pete ThamelESPN Arkansas junior linebacker Drew Sanders informed ESPN on Tuesday that he’ll be going into
the NFL draft.Sanders jobs as one of the draft’s top linebacker prospects, as he’s No. 17 overall on Mel Kiper’s Big
Board and ranks as Kiper’s top-ranked inside linebacker prospect.Sanders told ESPN that he will not take part in Liberty Bowl versus Kansas on Dec. 28 and will head to California today to start training for the NFL combine.” Football isn’t a life time sport; it’s an unbelievable sport, “Sanders said in a phone interview with ESPN.”I have actually enjoyed playing in college. It’s constantly been a dream for me to play in the NFL, since I can remember. There’s an opportunity for me to take, and I wish to take it. “
1 Related Sanders ‘decision caps a precipitous ascent to the upper areas of the NFL draft, as he transferred to Arkansas from Alabama this year and rose into the spotlight.The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder started 3 games over two seasons for the Crimson Tide and instantly flashed star potential upon coming to Arkansas, as his 9.5 sacks were second in the SEC to only Alabama’s Will Anderson. Sanders also ended up 4th in the SEC in takes on(103 )and acquired 13.5 tackles for loss.ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller predicts the flexible Sanders as a leading 30 draft possibility, with Kiper ranking him ahead of Iowa’s Jack Campbell, Oregon’s Noah Sewell and Clemson’s Trenton Simpson.Sanders got here in Fayetteville in January and right away impressed the Arkansas training staff.
He earned a beginning role and right away carried out, building up five sacks and 27 deals with in the first three games of 2022. He credited Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, defensive organizer Barry Odom and linebacker coach Michael Scherer for the opportunity and positioning him to showcase his capability.”To me, the only method to improve at football is playing football,”Sanders said.”I’ve never doubted my skills. Arkansas has actually given me a chance for me to show my abilities and improve by playing and providing the opportunity to be versatile. “Sanders is the child of Mitch Sanders, a high school coach for 25 years in both Oregon and Texas. He said his son had been talking about playing three years of college football and entering the NFL draft since he was a sophomore in high school.That looked not likely when he suffered a damaged hand midway through his sophomore year at Alabama after playing considerable snaps the very first 5 games. Upon returning to the lineup, a plan change limited Sanders ‘snaps, which caused his transfer.”We’re Arkansas fans through and through, but we still enjoy Alabama,”Mitch Sanders stated. “We have absolutely no hard sensations. It was an excellent experience.”He stated his child’s draft declaration was “bittersweet”because he and his other half, Shelly, understand that Drew took pleasure in Fayetteville so much. But Mitch Sanders said playing professional football is the conclusion of a dream for his child that started with him attending coaches conferences for his dad’s teams all the method back to kindergarten. “it’s very surreal, and you’re just delighted for him because it’s been his dream forever,” Mitch Sanders said.” To see him have the opportunity to live out his youth dream is pretty
awesome as moms and dads.”