Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas’ breakout offensive star in 2022, says he can be even better
If there was a breakout star on the offensive side of the ball for Texas in 2022, it was tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who emerged as one of the best Longhorn players at the position in the past 15 years.
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Sanders has spent Spring drills proving that last year was no fluke and showing that he’s in line to be one of the go-to players in Steve Sarkisian’s attack.
The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Sanders had 54 receptions in 2022, the most by any tight end in a season in program history. He amassed 613 yards and five touchdowns in those receptions and produced a campaign that garnered a spot on the All-Big 12 first teams by both the Big 12 Conference coaches and the Associated Press.
Sanders has appeared in 25 games in his three years on the 40 Acres with starts in all 13 games for the Longhorns in 2022.
“In the offseason I have focused on my YAC (yards after catch),” Sanders said. “I definitely left a lot of plays on the field last year, for sure. So that was one of my big emphases coming into this offseason.”
Texas’ record for most touchdown catches in a single season by a tight end was set by Pat Fitzgerald with eight in 1995. David Thomas, the best tight end in UT history, owns the record for the most catches from the position in a single game (10) and career catches by a tight end (98).
All three of those marks will be within reach for Sanders this season when he continues his role as one of the Longhorns’ top offensive weapons.
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“I’ve been in grind mode but I’m ready to show the world what I’m really capable of,” Sanders said. “Last year was my opening season, and I’m ready to show my full story now.”
Sanders said Thursday that the Longhorn quarterbacks have taken huge strides this Spring.
“You can just tell Quinn (Ewers) is in a different mode this year, the way he’s carrying himself when he comes into facility,” Sanders said. “He’s started to be more of a leader. I’m loving the way he’s stepping up for sure. I think Arch (Manning) has definitely made Quinn step up his game for sure. And Maalik (Murphy) is coming along too, getting over that injury.”
While Sanders is a known commodity at tight end, there will be times when the Longhorns want to use two tight end sets. Other players at the position – namely Gunnar Helm and Juan Davis – will need to step up.
“My boy Gunnar, for sure – he’s definitely taken his game to another level too,” Sanders said. “And that’s making me work even harder. I hope I’m making him work harder as well. So I just can’t wait to show what we can do in the field together.
“Juan is definitely coming along. It’s taken him a little while and I’m happy for him that he’s starting to finally feel himself and get back his mo.”
