Former South Carolina football star agrees to first NFL contract

Former South Carolina defensive lineman TJ Sanders has agreed to his first NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills. Following a second-round NFL Draft selection this April, the former Gamecock has signed a nearly-fully guaranteed contract. Sanders will receive almost $10.1 million guaranteed for a four-year, $10.6 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The contract backs up Buffalo’s commitment to Sanders, something they first demonstrated by trading up 15 spots to select him.

Sanders’ big news came shortly after his USC teammate (and fellow second-round selection) Nick Emmanwori became the first 35th overall pick in NFL history to sign a fully guaranteed contract with the Seattle Seahawks. The duo were the first two players selected from a five-man South Carolina draft class.

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The 6-4, 297-pound Sanders should play an immediate and important role on his new team. Buffalo needed help on the interior of their defensive line, and Sanders’ ability to affect the game against either the pass or the run (and his versatility to play well as a 1-technique or as a 3-technique) will put him on the field early. He will look to improve a Bills defense that finished in the bottom half of the National Football League in yards allowed and sacks in 2024.

During his South Carolina career, Sanders developed from a new-to-football three-star prospect into a bona fide star. He earned All-SEC honors both as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 and as a redshirt junior in 2024. Sanders also picked up All-American recognition from at least one outlet. Last fall, he was the top defensive tackle on one of the most loaded defensive line groups in team history.

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