Mother of Top 100 DL DJ Sanders goes in-depth on official visit to Michigan
Michigan hosted Top 100 Bellville (Texas) High defensive lineman DJ Sanders for an official visit over the weekend.
Sanders is quiet by nature and is very private about his recruitment. However, Michigan impressed him and his family during their stay in Ann Arbor. His mother, Constance, loved getting a closer look at the program both and off the field.
“My top highlight was, of course, the tour of the school,” Constance said. “They have some amazing coaches. I feel that we formed relationships with Wink (Martindale), Lou (Esposito) and Sherrone (Moore). They were very, very insightful. I loved the meeting they had about internships. Everything was very beautiful. We’re supposed to come back in July, so I want to see more. But where we were downtown and the atmosphere of the campus was very nice.”
Michigan has made Sanders one of its top overall priorities on the defensive side of the ball this cycle. New U-M head coach Sherrone Moore has been personally involved in this recruitment and made sure to spend plenty of time with the Sanders family.
“It went well,” Constance said. “I like that he is very family-oriented and has two kids of his own. He made me feel very comfortable with my baby possibly going so far away from home. If DJ does make that choice, they would be on the lookout for him.”
Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito has been leading the way in this recruitment and also made a strong impression.
“Lou is my boy,” Constance said with a laugh. “Lou is a very good guy. I am a quiet person. That’s where my son gets it from. I like to listen to certain people talk and get a feel for them. I liked Lou from the very beginning, especially when he came and visited Texas. I feel like he’s a really good guy.”
Sanders measured in at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds with a 6’11 wingspan. An impressive physical specimen, Sanders also shows tremendous power and athleticism on film. It’s no surprise he’s already drawing comparisons to star Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant.
New Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale went in-depth on fit throughout the visit as well as the need for a prospect like Sanders. Constance was especially impressed with his resume.
“I think Coach Wink knows what he’s doing,” Constance said. “He’s been doing what he does for years on top of years, coming from the NFL to college. I feel like DJ would be very comfortable with him. I was impressed by him.”
Aside from meeting with the staff, Constance enjoyed learning about Michigan’s opportunities off the field.
“What was really big and amazing was the MPower presentation, where they talked about life after football and how Michigan could help with that and internships” Constance said. “I was really impressed with that. Pushing the players to intern is really good. That’s something that is going to be different from high school. DJ plays all these sports and is really busy, so he hasn’t had that type of job experience like most teenagers do. When we sat in that meeting, I felt like that was something he really does need.
“They also talked about helping them with interviews. They help the kids with their words and all that good stuff. I think it would be good for DJ.”
As Constance previously mentioned, Moore made her feel comfortable with potentially sending DJ to Michigan. While Ann Arbor is far away from home, Constance said distance will not be a factor.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Constance said. “My dream was always for my kids to get out of the country. I was born and raised in Bellville and am still there. Wink brought up that it’s a two-hour drive to UT, and it’s a two-hour flight to Michigan. Whatever his choice and wherever God leads him, I’ll have his back.”
Overall, Michigan is definitely under strong consideration.
“I think he likes it,” Constance said. “I think he likes the school overall and the culture of it. He does have a couple of more visits, so we’ll get more into the details of his likes and dislikes of each school. But I like Michigan.”
DJ will make official visits to Texas and Texas A&M to close out the month of June. The family does not have a firm decision timeline.
Sanders is ranked as the No. 6 defensive lineman and No. 86 overall prospect nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
The post Mother of Top 100 DL DJ Sanders goes in-depth on official visit to Michigan appeared first on On3.
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