Bulldogs safety opts for draft a year early
Junior all-conference strong safety James Sanders declares himself eligible
for the 2005 NFL draft
By EDDIE HUGHES
Junior strong safety James Sanders will forgo his senior season to enter
the NFL draft a year early.
Bulldogs coach Pat Hill made the announcement on Wednesday that the football
program will be without one of its defensive standouts in 2005.
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James Sanders defends against Nevada in a 2004 game at Bulldogs
Stadium. Photo by Joseph Hollak |
“James has been a tremendous player for us,” Hill said in
a news release. He did a great job for us both on and off the field. He
is a fine young man who has worked very hard and been a great representative
of the Bulldog program for the last four years.”
Sanders, a 5-foot-11, 205-pounder from Porterville, redshirted in 2001
before becoming a regular starter in 2002 and earning freshman All-America
accolades.
“He is a good student and is very close to finishing his degree,”
Hill said. “He made a commitment to me that he will return to finish
his education and I believe he will. We wish him the best of luck in his
NFL career.”
The last Fresno State player to leave school early for the NFL was quarterback
Trent Dilfer, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sanders has been named first-team All-Western Athletic Conference two
straight years, the first Bulldogs defensive back to earn all-conference
honors in back-to-back seasons. He finished his career with 238 tackles,
24.5 for losses, seven sacks and seven interceptions.
He was third on the team with 63 tackles in 2004. He proved himself as
a playmaker with 6.5 tackles for losses, two sacks, two forced fumbles,
two fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and three interceptions—two
of which came in the season opening win at Washington.
The loss of Sanders leaves the Bulldogs a bit thin at safety with senior
Nate Ray also not returning.
Returning at strong safety for the Bulldogs in 2005 is Vincent Mays, who
had 24 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
Mays came to Fresno State rated the 12th-best overall prospect and best
defensive back in California by Max Emfinger’s Blue Chip Recruiting.
Sanders is one of at least two Bulldogs who are expected to be drafted
in 2005, the other being senior left tackle Logan Mankins.
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