Nevada
Nevada Safety Bentlee Sanders Awaits All-Star Invite
Yearly, an inventory of proficient gamers with out invites to play in one of many high three most prestigious all-star occasions might help NFL Draft prospects get observed early within the draft course of.
The Reese’s Senior Bowl, East West Shrine Bowl and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl have taken heart stage because the marque occasions for optimum publicity from NFL personnel.
It is a restricted area, and its entry is a priceless commodity for NFL prospects.
One breakout participant from this previous season stays off the checklist of these above-mentioned all-star video games. That’s first-team All-Mountain West security Bentlee Sanders of Nevada.
“I have been enjoying soccer since I used to be 4,” Sanders mentioned. “Ever since I entered school, I’ve been looking for that breakout yr. It occurred to be my final yr, and it could not have come at a greater time.”
In 2022, Sanders was named the protection of the yr within the Mountain West Convention. He led the Wolf Pack with 82 tackles and 5 interceptions, considered one of which was returned for a landing and three compelled fumbles.
“I really feel like, in my coronary heart, I am a slot receiver,” Sanders mentioned. “I like the place, however I excel extra at defensive again.”
Acknowledged as the highest security in his convention, he mentions slot receiver in passing when describing his capacity on the sphere, and that reveals the underlying versatility of Sanders.
“Slot receiver, gunner, kick return, punt return, defensive again, security, nickel,” Sanders says he can carry out effectively for groups. “Simply anyplace on the sphere; I really feel like I can excel.”
Sanders started his profession at South Florida in 2017, earlier than his last seasons at Nevada, the place he had his breakout season. Over the course of his profession, he posted modest manufacturing, however this yr he positioned himself firmly on the NFL’s radar.
“I am excited,” Sanders mentioned of the chance forward.
“It is surreal; I am within the place. I need all NFL coaches to know I am their boy with regards to enjoying soccer, and I wish to present them – I am a dawg!”
Sanders is aware of that with out an all-star invite, he should maximize his Professional Day numbers to seize the eye of NFL groups.
Sanders admits his five-foot-nine, and 179-pound body is just not perfect choice by NFL groups, which is why he’s extraordinarily centered on getting that 40-yard sprint time perfected, particularly with no all-star invite.
“Actually, a 4.3 is tough to run,” Sanders mentioned. “I see myself as an actual quick participant, a excessive 4.4 man with out coaching.
“As soon as I am coaching in Tampa, Florida with Sherman Armstrong of VASTsports. I hope he can get me all the way down to a excessive 4.3. or low 4.4 time – That can assist get my foot within the door.”
Sanders has acquired suggestions from the powers that be (NFL) that he might go as excessive because the fifth spherical of the NFL Draft to being a precedence free agent after it concludes.
Sanders nonetheless can land a type of elusive invites to play in an all-star recreation. It is a very fluid course of—a carousel of modifications main as much as and throughout the week of all-star video games in managing the rosters. Gamers do not present, and others may get damage throughout the week.
Taking part in his last two years in Reno, Nevada, for the Wolf Pack, perhaps the East West Shrine Bowl provides some native taste to the roster.
Any variety of occasions can happen the place a participant like Sanders might get a last-minute name.