Following the footsteps of former TCU running back Kendre Miller, Trey Sanders is looking to up his stock for the 2024 NFL Draft. The former 5-star rusher should be a central piece of a rebuilding offense. We’re looking at Sanders’ scouting report for next year’s draft.
Trey Sanders Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 222
- Position: RB
- School: TCU
- Current Year: Junior
The former Alabama prized recruit could never lift off in Tuscaloosa, dealing with a season-ending foot injury as a freshman, then a car accident in 2020 that led to him being life-flighted from the scene. He finished his Alabama stint with only 116 carries for 528 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games. He was once the top overall running back recruit from high school.
Trey Sanders Scouting Report
Strengths
- He’s a big-bodied back who carries his listed weight well, not appearing as bulky as expected.
- Patient runner who is constantly evaluating how his blocking is unfolding and where his best lane is.
- Has a decent burst and good fluidity on inside and outside zone calls as he chops his feet to maximize his ability to change direction and plant upfield.
- Consistently falls forward and has enough play strength to break through tacklers.
- Accelerates well once he has a runway in the open field, pulling away from defenders on the second and third level.
- Comfortable as a receiver who will look for green space for his quarterback to count on.
- Will take everything the defense gives him as he has plus field vision and enough athleticism to take advantage of mistakes.
Weaknesses
- Two injuries in his past have led to a loss of explosiveness compared to earlier in his career.
- He has a limited body of work before 2023, so his durability and overall experience level likely have him more reliant on his natural athleticism than his nuanced ability.
- Doesn’t press the line effectively. Often played behind a menacing offensive line that made things easy for him.
- Will slow his feet behind the line of scrimmage too much if his immediate read isn’t there, which is an issue because his acceleration isn’t strong from a dead stop.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Coming into the 2023 season as more of a projection than any bit of a sure thing, Sanders has a tragic story that has led to triumph to get this far. Once a fantastic recruit with elite explosiveness and was on track to be the next Saquon Barkley, Sanders has to show off a reinvented version of himself.
It may not come right away in the 2023 season. Sanders is still an intriguing athlete with good burst and overall speed, but it’s harder to overcome hesitancy behind the line of scrimmage now. The key to overcoming this is mastering his timing of movement and his consistency of reads.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
If he can, Sanders will earn a Day 3, draftable grade as a possible backup in the NFL. Even without knowing he was once a top recruit, he is a good athlete who can move in better ways than most backs across the country.
