University of Texas junior tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has opted to skip his senior season and declare for the upcoming NFL Draft, as first reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Sanders, who played offense and defense at Denton Ryan High School, was a five-star prospect in the 2021 Recruiting Class. He played on special teams exclusively during his freshman season in Austin, but showcased his receiving and blocking talents during his sophmore campaign in which he caught 54 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns. He followed that up with an equally impressive junior season that saw him haul in 45 receptions for 682 yards and two touchdowns.
He leaves Texas as a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection and the all-time tight end leader in receptions. NFL Mock Draft boards show Sanders as the second-ranked tight end in the draft behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers, who is slated to be a high first-round pick.
