Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Sanders coming along as a leader on defense
11/2/2016 6:08:00 PM | Football
Had game-winning TD at FIU
With all three starting linebackers from last year's team graduated, new guys had to step up this season to man the middle of the Blue Raider defense.
One of the guys who has done so in a big way is junior DJ Sanders.
Sanders brings the most experience to the relatively inexperienced linebacking corps this season. He had never started a game for the Blue Raiders before this year, but his 25 games played going into the season were the most in the linebacker group.
Since he had the most experience, he was the obvious choice to become one of their leaders. That meant he had to develop more of a vocal leadership style.
"I've had to be more vocal with this group," he said. "We don't have any senior linebackers, so Miles and I are the oldest in the group and with me having the most experience, I have to be the vocal leader."
Even though he has had to be more vocal, he's also letting his play do the talking for him.
Sanders is currently fourth on the team with 46 tackles, third with 3.5 tackles for loss and third with two sacks. He's also first on the team and tied for the Conference USA lead with three forced fumbles this season.
Laying hits isn't the only part of his game, though. He currently leads the team with seven pass breakups and his first interception of the season proved to be one of the biggest plays of the year for the Blue Raiders. Sanders picked off an FIU pass and returned it 48 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 1:22 remaining, sending MT to a 42-35 victory.
His dash down the right sideline showcased a pass-catching ability he attained while in high school as a wide receiver for Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia.
"I really wanted to play receiver, but I like to hit," he said.
Not only did Sanders play wide receiver as well as linebacker for Washington County, but he also starred on the basketball team and placed in the state track and field meet in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior.
His abilities in all three sports made Sanders a must-get coming out of high school for Middle Tennessee.
"With so much spread offense now you need guys who are athletes that can run," MT defensive coordinator Ty Nix said. "We were able to watch him not only on the football field but in the other sports he participated in. Not only was he a tremendous athlete, but he was a guy with tremendous character and a great family at home, so we thought it was a slam dunk."
Sanders initially thought about trying to make it as a track and field athlete in college, but changed his mind before coming to Murfreesboro.
"I thought about it, but football was always my first love. I couldn't leave that behind," he said.
The speed he got from years as a track athlete have carried over into his style of play as a linebacker, according to Nix.
"He's a hybrid in our book, and that means he has the ability to play man-to-man coverage on the slot receiver but also play zone and be able to stick his nose in there to stop the run," he said.
As the Blue Raiders come down the home stretch this season, Sanders and the linebackers are trying to lead the defense to one of the best seasons in school history.
In order to do that, they have to keep improving.
"We have to eliminate the small mistakes and tackle better," Sanders said. "We have to clean some things up, and we'll be alright."
If you're looking for Sanders on the field, look to where the ball is. There's a good chance no. 31 will be there.
One of the guys who has done so in a big way is junior DJ Sanders.
Sanders brings the most experience to the relatively inexperienced linebacking corps this season. He had never started a game for the Blue Raiders before this year, but his 25 games played going into the season were the most in the linebacker group.
Since he had the most experience, he was the obvious choice to become one of their leaders. That meant he had to develop more of a vocal leadership style.
"I've had to be more vocal with this group," he said. "We don't have any senior linebackers, so Miles and I are the oldest in the group and with me having the most experience, I have to be the vocal leader."
Even though he has had to be more vocal, he's also letting his play do the talking for him.
Sanders is currently fourth on the team with 46 tackles, third with 3.5 tackles for loss and third with two sacks. He's also first on the team and tied for the Conference USA lead with three forced fumbles this season.
Laying hits isn't the only part of his game, though. He currently leads the team with seven pass breakups and his first interception of the season proved to be one of the biggest plays of the year for the Blue Raiders. Sanders picked off an FIU pass and returned it 48 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 1:22 remaining, sending MT to a 42-35 victory.
His dash down the right sideline showcased a pass-catching ability he attained while in high school as a wide receiver for Washington County High School in Sandersville, Georgia.
"I really wanted to play receiver, but I like to hit," he said.
Not only did Sanders play wide receiver as well as linebacker for Washington County, but he also starred on the basketball team and placed in the state track and field meet in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior.
His abilities in all three sports made Sanders a must-get coming out of high school for Middle Tennessee.
"With so much spread offense now you need guys who are athletes that can run," MT defensive coordinator Ty Nix said. "We were able to watch him not only on the football field but in the other sports he participated in. Not only was he a tremendous athlete, but he was a guy with tremendous character and a great family at home, so we thought it was a slam dunk."
Sanders initially thought about trying to make it as a track and field athlete in college, but changed his mind before coming to Murfreesboro.
"I thought about it, but football was always my first love. I couldn't leave that behind," he said.
The speed he got from years as a track athlete have carried over into his style of play as a linebacker, according to Nix.
"He's a hybrid in our book, and that means he has the ability to play man-to-man coverage on the slot receiver but also play zone and be able to stick his nose in there to stop the run," he said.
As the Blue Raiders come down the home stretch this season, Sanders and the linebackers are trying to lead the defense to one of the best seasons in school history.
In order to do that, they have to keep improving.
"We have to eliminate the small mistakes and tackle better," Sanders said. "We have to clean some things up, and we'll be alright."
If you're looking for Sanders on the field, look to where the ball is. There's a good chance no. 31 will be there.
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