Overview

NFL teams love NFL pedigree. Sanders has those blood lines thanks to his father, Tracy Sanders, who played safety in the league and at Florida State. Despite the connection, Sanders was not offered a scholarship by the Seminoles out of high school and chose South Carolina over West Virginia and Rutgers, among others. Regardless, having the resource of a former NFL defensive back to help with routes in the backyard certainly doesn't hurt.

As a freshman, Sanders played in 14 games and was the team's fourth leading receiver after tallying 25 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He emerged as the team's punt returner towards the end of the season. In 2011, Sanders jumped a few spots up the ladder and finished as the team's second receiver, recording 29 catches for 383 yards. He was the first Gamecock to return a punt for a touchdown since 2003, and Sanders started eight games that season. Finally, in 2012, Sanders emerged as a standout punt returner and receiver. He set a school record with 429 yards on 28 punt returns. On top of helping South Carolina win the field position battles, Sanders caught 45 passes for 531 yards and nine touchdowns, starting all 13 games.