The Arkansas defense is expected to be an asset to a projected great season in 2022, led by the return of safety [autotag]Jalen Catalon[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Bumper Pool[/autotag].
Lost in the hype surrounding Catalon and Pool, is a key addition from the transfer portal that could easily turn into one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference.
[autotag]Drew Sanders[/autotag] transferred to Arkansas from Alabama in hopes to prove just how great of an athlete he is without being shadowed by fellow linebackers Dallas Turner and Will Anderson. He was severely limited at linebacker during his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, only recording 33 tackles in 23 total games.
Sanders has the talent, he just needs the opportunity. That is why Josh Pate of 247sports calls Sanders an under-the-radar linebacker.
In a recent episode of his show “The Late Kick”, Pate digs into why Sanders is so special, and why more people should be talking about him.
This is not a typical transfer. Arkansas knew that. I want everyone else to know that. Dallas Turner and Will Anderson are the reasons Drew Sanders transferred. Bama’s got two best linebackers in the country this year. It just so happens Drew Sanders plays that position. So Drew Sanders transferred out. This is a future first-round, quality linebacker that has no character concerns. Quite the opposite. He’s a high level character guy. And imagine being Sam Pittman. Imagine being Barry Odom, and you’re just sitting around one day, and Drew Sanders is in the transfer portal. What happened? Did he lose a bet? No. They’re just that loaded in Alabama at his position.
Pate compared Sanders situation to former Alabama teammate Jameson Williams, who left Ohio State following the 2020 season after his playing time at wide receiver was limited with the Buckeyes. Williams would go on to reel in 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide in 2021, and would be selected 12th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pate says that Sanders could have that type of season for Arkansas.
Moving him to inside linebacker, Drew Sanders is going to be one of the best players in that division this year. And you’ll quickly watch him and realize it’ll kind of be like Jameson Williams was at Bama ironically. You’ll watch Jameson Williams last year and you say, ‘Wow, that kid transferred because he couldn’t get playing time at Ohio State. How loaded must that receiver room be?’ You’ll say the same thing about Bama’s linebackers this year. You’ll watch Drew Sanders and he’ll play at like an all SEC caliber level and you’ll say, ‘How loaded must that linebacker room have been in Alabama?’ Drew Sanders, very good one. A game-changing talent, Drew Sanders, at Arkansas.”
Prior to signing with Alabama as a member of the 2020 class, Sanders was rated as a five-star athlete from Ryan High School in Denton, Texas. He was the No. 1 recruit from the state of Texas, and 13th best prospect in the nation.
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