Of all the tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft, not many are better than Ja’Tavion Sanders.
With the draft almost here, Sanders will be heading to a new team to make his mark in the NFL. Here’s everything there is to know about him.
How Tall Is Ja’Tavion Sanders?
After finishing his college career, Sanders attended the NFL Combine to make his measurements official. His height came in at 6’3 7/8″, which is just below the NFL average of 6’4 1/2″.
The tallest tight end in the NFL is a tie between Curtis Hodges and Donald Parham, both coming in at 6’8″. There are then six players standing one inch shorter at 6’7″. For the shortest, that’s Connor Heyward and Reggie Gilliam, both coming in at just 6’0″.
In terms of the 2024 NFL Draft class, the tallest tight end is Minnesota’s Brevyn Spann-Ford, coming in at 6’7″. He’s followed by a handful of players at 6’6″. The shortest is a tie between multiple players at 6’3″.
How Much Does Sanders Weigh?
Sanders came in at 245 pounds at the Combine, which is around the NFL average of 249 pounds. There is, however, a 47-pound difference between the heaviest and lightest tight ends in the NFL.
MORE: Top TEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The heaviest is a tie between Marcedes Lewis, Mo Alie-Cox, and Trevon Wesco, who all come in at 267 pounds. The lightest is Lawrence Cager, who weighs 220 pounds, sitting just one pound behind of Taysom Hill at 221.
For the 2024 NFL Draft, the heaviest tight end is Illinois’ Tip Reiman, coming in at 271 pounds. The lightest? Washington’s Devin Culp, weighing 231 pounds.
How Old Is Sanders?
Born March 27, 2003, Sanders is freshly 21 years old. That would make him the youngest tight end in the draft and the draft class as a whole.
The next-youngest tight end is Brock Bowers, who is 21 years old and turning 22 in December. The oldest, however, is Tennessee’s McCallan Castles, coming in at 24 years old (and turning 25 in December).
What School Did Sanders Attend?
Growing up in Denton, Texas, Sanders attended Billy Ryan High School, where he played both basketball and football.
On the football team, Sanders played both wide receiver and defensive end. He was named first-team All-District 4-5A Division 1 at defensive end, recording 39 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
He also caught 47 passes for 763 yards and seven touchdowns. He then had 63 receptions for 1,161 yards and 16 touchdowns the next year, leading to co-MVP of District 5-5A Division 1.
Sanders was rated as a five-star recruit by 247Sports, being recruited by all major programs. He eventually committed to the University of Texas, where he spent his entire college career.
Revisiting Sanders’ College Career
After early enrolling in 2021, Sanders played both offense and defense during preseason practices. However, he ended up landing at tight end as the position he would play, earning playing time in all 12 games as a true freshman.
Sanders’ sophomore season was his biggest breakout, though, earning the starting role following the suspension of transfer Jahleel Billingsley. Sanders went on to catch 54 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns.
He put up similar numbers in 2023, catching 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns.
Sanders finished his three-year Texas career with 39 games played (27 starts), compiling 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 member in both years he started (2022 and 2023).
Sanders’ Potential in the NFL
According to Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings, Sanders grades out as a top-100 prospect and the third-best tight end in the class.
“Sanders may have some scheme dependence as a prospect, but as a versatile big-slot weapon with RAC, seam, and red-zone utility, he brings plenty of value,” said Cummings.
“At around 6’4″, 245 pounds with a 4.69-second 40-yard dash speed, Sanders is a notable size-speed athlete with great burst and agility, and he compounds those traits with good play strength, physicality, and contact balance in multiple phases.
“Sanders’ best plays come when he’s able to attack up the seam. He has the necessary zone awareness to bend out of breaks and find space, and when the ball comes his way, he can snare it with sharp focus, smooth body control, and incredibly strong, authoritative hands.
“Sanders can use his explosiveness to carve through zone-coverage looks and outmuscle defensive backs once he has leverage advantages, but he’s also a potent RAC threat.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Ja’Tavion Sanders
Some of his best attributes include his explosive athleticism with short-area quickness, his compact frame, and reliable hands. His weaknesses, however, include a lack of elite long speed, non-overwhelming size threat, and hip stiffness.
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