Steve Sarkisian identifies where Ja’Tavion Sanders can continue to improve

Ja’Tavion Sanders will be an important piece to Steve Sarkisian’s offensive efforts in 2023, but there are still some wrinkles in the former five-star recruit’s game that still need ironing out.

Sarkisian explained that he and his offensive staff have been working with the Texas tight end to develop extra layers into his game in preparation for the NFL, which seems to be calling his name, according to multiple way-too-early big boards.

“There’s a lot to it. He’s a very natural pass catcher. JT has a really high football IQ, so the more we can move him around and give him different route opportunities, that part has been really helpful,” Sarkisian said. “Run-game wise, there is still an evolution to his game where I think he can take it to another level from a blocking perspective.”

During Sanders’ breakout season in 2022, the 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end racked up 54 receptions — the most by any TE in a single season in program history — for 613 yards and five touchdowns. He earned All-Big 12 first-team honors for his efforts by both the Big-12 Conference coaches and the Associated Press.

Sanders’ biggest point of emphasis this offseason has been improving his yards after the catch. He has criticized himself saying that he left a lot of plays on the field last year, and doesn’t want that to be the case in 2023. Sarkisian has taken notice.

“When he catches the ball, what does he do with the ball in his hands? He is a big, physical guy, very athletic. We’re trying to get him to use his body more once the ball is in his hands and I think we’re seeing that,” Sarkisian said. “He’s much more physical with the ball in his hands than he ever has been in the first couple of years here.”

By almost all accounts, Sanders is expected to be a first-round draft choice by most experts. He was a five-star recruit out of the 2021 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 1 ATH in his class and is living up to that ranking.

Whether Sanders can pick up where he left off last season remains to be seen, but we’ll have to wait and see if he can improve on Sarkisians’ challenges once the 2023 season gets underway on Sept. 2 when they host Rice.