JD PicKell tabs Drew Sanders as major breakout candidate entering 2022

On3 imageby:Alex Weber08/22/22

Arkansas may have one of the top linebacker groups in the SEC this season, according to On3 analyst JD PicKell. With veteran star Bumper Pool returning and joining Alabama transfer Drew Sanders, the Hogs have talent and experience starting for them this fall.

In fact, PicKell pegged Sanders as a player to look for a breakout from this season. The guy was an Alabama recruit for a reason. Tons of talent and could pop with a bigger opportunity in Fayetteville.

You can watch what PicKell had to say about Sanders and the Razorback LBs right here or read his comments in full below.

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JD PicKell on Drew Sanders breaking out

“We’ll finish this list with a guy who transferred from Alabama, Drew Sanders. Transferred from Alabama to Arkansas. Was an outside linebacker. Was playing at ‘Bama. Came out of high school he was a five-star and one thing leads to another with injuries, and just ‘Bama being ‘Bama, and how hard it is to play there…says okay, enough is enough. I’m gonna go somewhere where I can play inside and where I can start today.

“Because he started at ‘Bama for a little bit. That’s speaking to his talent alone. He started at ‘Bama, but he wants to be somewhere he can play inside and have, I would imagine, some stability at that position. Drew Sanders is a freak show to be able to play on the edge and transition to middle linebacker in the SEC and start for ‘Bama as a freshman. Kid’s got ability in spades.

“They’re gonna ask a lot of him next to Bumper Pool down there in Arkansas. I believe in that program. Believe in Sam Pittman. I believe in Drew Sanders and his ability alone. In his second season, he’s gonna be a guy that you know about in the SEC.

“He’ll have his work cut out for him, don’t get me wrong. I mean, given all the freak shows running around in the SEC, he’ll have a chance to prove just how good he really is against some of that top talent.”