As of right now the top recruit in the state of Oregon for the 2014 class is Tanner Sanders (6-5 185 WR/QB/DB So.) of Crescent Valley. He has been nothing short of spectacular starting as a freshman and only getting better. The 2010 season saw him lead his team in multiple categories (39 rec, 662 receiving yards, 8 Td’s, 16.97 YPC). To put this into perspective he finished 6th in the nation in receiving yards among freshman.
It’s rare to see a 9th grader come in and play against kids three years older. Its even more unique when that kid comes in and is better then all the rest. He earned first team all league honors as a freshman wide receiver, finishing 2nd in the conference in receiving yards next to Silverton’s Torrey Rogness (940). Former Mid Willamette Conference Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Gardner says ” He’s a special talent, and I think he has some Colt Lyerla in him”.
Tanner is the son of highly respected Head Coach Scott Sanders who played football and baseball at Oregon St. His mother was an All-American athlete (volleyball) in high school. Sander’s Freshman video speaks for itself. He’s a kid with a solid head on his shoulders and the right support system. He has been raised to do things the right way on and off the field. Sanders says, “A good team beats with one heart, we all have each others back.”
There are a lot of people that use the term “can’t miss kid” when referring to an athlete. Oregon has a lot good athletes but very few that are in the category of “can’t miss”. Sanders is one of those special athletes. We will be seeing him play at the highest level in a few years, but for the time being we will enjoy all the electricity he brings on Friday Nights. His abilities as a football player are incredible. So far this season the Raiders are (2-1) and ranked #5 in the state (NEI) , at the 5a classification level. He currently is doing a little of everything; (9-19, 148 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT’s) as QB, (19 rush for 127 yds, 6.68 ypc), and (6 rec, 100 yds)..
We wish Tanner continued success and will be watching intently as he teams with two prime time junior lineman (Austin Powell 6-4 260 OL/DL Jr.), and Bryon Bodon (6-4 260 OL/DL Jr.) to form one of the top younger teams in the state.
