NFL Draft Profile: Myjai Sanders, Defensive End, Cincinnati Bearcats
#21
Pos: DE
Ht: 6052
Wt: 228
Hand: 0928
Arm: 3258
Wing: 7978
40: 4.67
Shuttle: 4.37
Vertical: 33
Broad Jump: 1000
DOB: 7/12/_
Eligible: 2022
Jacksonville, FL
Camden County High School
Myjai Sanders
Cincinnati Bearcats
One-Liners
Lean, smart defensive end with average athleticism.
Pros:
Defensive end who is accustomed to rushing from a two and three-point stance. Sanders is a high effort player who possesses very good play recognition skills, allowing him to play fast. He is able to extend and lockout in the run game and breaks the contact point to shed blocks. As a pass rusher, he can get underneath opponents when converting speed to power, uprooting them. His hands are quick and precise, understanding how to defeat those of blockers. Taking advantage of inside lanes, Sanders uses an inside swipe that is on target. He is a hard and clean hitter when presented with a shot at the quarterback.
Cons:
A skinny build could see Sanders struggle to keep his weight north of 240 lbs. This translates to a lack of strength, preventing him from setting the edge and getting twisted. Below-average hand violence causes him to struggle to deconstruct when blockers latch. Bigger ball carriers are able to run through him. Below average snap timing and average burst prevent Sanders from threatening blockers with speed on a consistent basis. His lack of ankle flexion limits his bend as he can lose his footage when turning the corner. When rushing inside, he lacks lateral agility and loses his balance as he is unable to absorb blows.
Summary:
Lean defensive end with good hands and average burst. Sanders is a high effort defender with very good football intelligence. He lacks strength to set the edge and enforce his will in the run game. Sanders projects as a rotational pass rusher who can get home in one on one situations thanks to his hand usage and effort. He is unlikely to become a full-time starter due to his lack of power.
Background:
Composite three-star recruit who prepped at Camden County HS for Coach Bob Sphire during his senior season. ESPN.com ranks him among the Top-75 defensive ends in the 2018 class. He earned a spot on the All-Region 1-7A First Team at DL. Sanders was named to the Brunswick News’ Coastal Georgia All-Area Football Team at OLB where he had 39 tackles, three sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He played two years at Raines HS in Jacksonville, Florida for Coach Deran Wiley. Was tabbed as an All-Gateway Conference selection in 2016. Sanders recorded 40 tackles, five TFL’s and three sacks in just nine games as a junior. Chose Cincinnati from a list of nearly 20 reported offers, including Kentucky, UCF and USF.
Grades
Current Player Value/Potential Player Value
7.4 / 7.9
11/14/21 - On Friday night the fifth-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats handled business on the road, beating a struggling South Florida team 45-28. A big reason for Cincinnati’s strong performances on the defensive side of the ball has been senior defensive end, Myjai Sanders. Against the Bulls, he racked up only his second sack of the year, as well as a pass deflection but his impact is much more significant than the box score would indicate. Possessing great length, impressive speed and power, he shows all the traits required to become a quality NFL pass-rusher. His presence oftentimes makes his opponents frequently shift attention towards Sanders, leaving other defenders with easier matchups. The senior could have declared for the draft after an impressive 2020 season that saw him touted as a potential first-round pick but decided to return to Cincinnati, in order to take care of unfinished business. Sitting at 10-0, the Bearcats are well on their way to doing just that.
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