T.J. Sanders Selected by Buffalo in the Second Round of the NFL Draft

University of South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the ninth pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. He was the 41st player selected overall.

Sanders, a 6-3 5/8, 305-pounder from Marion, S.C., spent four seasons in the Carolina program. He appeared in 39 games with 16 career starts. He logged 109 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

In 2024, Sanders appeared in all 13 games making nine starts. College Football Nation tabbed him as a first-team All-SEC performer and a third-team All-American while selecting him as the SEC’s Interior Defender of the Year. He was named to the second-team All-SEC squad by the AP and Phil Steele. He finished fifth on the squad and led the defensive lineman with 50 tackles including 7.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He was also credited with six quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.

Sanders, who graduated in December with a degree in criminology and criminal justice, becomes the second Gamecock selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, joining Nick Emmanwori, who was taken earlier in the second round by Seattle.

Sanders is the first Gamecock taken by Buffalo since Stephon Gilmore went to the Bills in the first round of the 2012 draft.