Sanders drafted in third round by Denver

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Drew Sanders was the first Razorback to hear his name called during the NFL Draft, being selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Denver Broncos on Friday night to extend Arkansas’ streak to 28 consecutive drafts with at least one Hog being called.

Sanders became the first Arkansas linebacker to be selected since Dre Greenlaw in 2019 and the highest selected since Quinton Caver was taken 55th overall by Philadelphia in 2001. Sanders is the first Razorback taken by Denver since McTelvin Agim was also taken in the third round in the 2020 draft. Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Razorback Steve Atwater was the first ever Hog taken by Denver in 1989.

In his lone season at Arkansas, Sanders was phenomenal in 12 games that earned him unanimous All-America status and became the first Arkansas linebacker to be named First-Team All-America by the Associated Press since Ronnie Caveness in 1964. Sanders is the first linebacker and eighth player in program history to achieve unanimous All-America status – earning honors from all five outlets used to determine unanimous All-Americans: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He is the first Razorback to earn the nod from all five since running back Darren McFadden in 2003, and the first Arkansas defender to do so since defensive end Billy Ray Smith Jr. in 1982.

Sanders led the Hogs in tackles (103), tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (9.5) while forcing three fumbles, recovering one and picking off one pass. The junior led the team in tackles in seven games during the 2022 campaign and registered double-digit tackles six times. Sanders jumped onto the national scene in just his second game on The Hill in a victory over South Carolina, making 11 tackles to go with three tackles for loss, including two sacks, to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors along with national recognition as the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and Bednarik Award Player of the Week. He was later named the Butkus Award Linebacker of the Month for September.

He became just the second Razorback in history to earn multiple SEC defensive player of the week awards after making 10 tackles, including a half tackle for loss, recovering a fumble and intercepting the first pass of his career in the win over No. 14 Ole Miss. Sanders joined the legendary Quinton Caver, who earned three SEC defensive player of the week recognitions in 2000 before being a second-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Led by Sanders, the Arkansas defense increased pressure on the quarterback during the 2022 season, setting a school record with 42 sacks. Sanders’ 9.5 sacks matched the seventh-most in a single season by a Razorback and are the most since the late Chris Smith’s 9.5 sacks in 2012.

The NFL Draft continues Saturday with rounds 4-7 beginning at 11 a.m. on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.