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Panthers pick Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in fourth round of 2024 NFL Draft. What to know

Richard Tijerina, Austin American-Statesman
·2-min read

The Carolina Panthers selected Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders with the 101st pick of the 2024 NFL draft. Sanders spent three seasons with the Longhorns, leaving as one of the leading tight ends in school history — first in catches, second in yards and sixth in TDs. Here's everything you need to know about Sanders.

Ja'Tavion Sanders scouting report

Recruited as one of the nation's top athletes as a five-star tight end and defensive end, Sanders' athleticism has been on display from the start. He was effective near the goal line but also had memorable big plays with after-the-catch yards. He's much more of a vertical pass-catcher than he is a blocker, however. He's a two-time first-team All-Big 12 pick.

His skills, pluses and minuses have drawn comparisons to the Browns' David Njoku.

Ja'Tavion Sanders height, weight

Sanders is listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 lbs. He's a Denton, Texas native and attended Ryan (Tx.) High School.

Ja'Tavion Sanders college stats

In 39 career games (27 starts), Sanders notched 99 catches for 1,295 yards and seven TDs.

Ja'Tavion Sanders highlights

Sanders had the first 100-yard game for a Texas tight end in 16 years, became the first Texas TE ever with multiple 100-yard games and had two TD catches against Oklahoma in 2022, but his biggest play wasn't even a touchdown. It was a fourth quarter catch on a crossing pattern for 50 yards against Alabama, which set up a score that stopped the Tide's 13-0 scoring run and sparked Texas to a win last September.

Ja'Tavion Sanders NFL combine measurables

Sanders had a good showing at the combine, running a 4.69 in the 40 and a 4.32 in the shuttle, but took a step back at his pro day — only eight bench press reps and a disappointing vertical of 30 inches. But he did show his ability to catch passes during receiving drills, and his production as a pass-catching tight end is his biggest plus.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Panthers pick Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders in 2024 NFL Draft