Jonas Sanker, SAF, Virginia
Size:
Height: 6003
Weight: 206
Arm: 32 ¼”
Hand: 9 ¾”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-ACC (2023)
“Jonas Sanker’s skill set shines brightest as a box defender where his speed and instincts play well at limited depth.”
Strengths:
Alignment-versatile
Sound tackler
Active run defender
Instincts
Concerns:
Top-end burst
Fluidity in coverage at increased depths
Film Analysis:
Jonas Sanker’s skill set shines brightest as a box defender, where his speed and instincts play well at limited depth. He was a first-team all-conference performer in 2023, where he amassed more than 100 tackles (7.0 TFLs) with good ball production (11 PBUs). Sanker is an alignment-versatile player with large snap counts as the nickel defender, in the box, and at free safety.
Sanker is best in the box where he trusts his eyes to take him to the football. Quick trigger downhill that rarely misses tackles. Does a nice job of half-manning opposing blockers to take on as little surface area as possible. Can sniff out run concepts both inside and outside the tackles with ease, and Sanker shows the ability to take consistent pursuit angles to the fringe areas. Has a nose for the football and does a nice job of placing his helmet on the forearm of ball-carriers, often jarring the ball loose (Duke). Sanker has shown the ability to make plays in the run right at the line of scrimmage or at depth. Can bring down ball-carriers head-on or at an angle, showcasing his tackling ability in isolated situations. Is also an advanced blitzer off the edge who has multiple instances of timing the snap, going completely unblocked, and blowing up the play before it starts (twice vs. Virginia Tech).
Sanker has experience at depth in coverage but projects best as another body in the box at this point in his evaluation. In space, however, Sanker can stay in phase with varying skill sets at the RB, TE, and WR positions. Long strides allow him to maintain pace if he gears up quickly enough, but he can be run by if he’s late to flip and run. Flashes a good trigger downhill and he has a knack for understanding where and when to extend his hands through the opponents’. Best in zone coverage where he’s able to read and react. Has multiple instances of changing direction and picking up wideouts in zone-match principles. Has shown the speed and awareness to stay in phase with shallow crossers, as well.
Concerns remain about his comfortability at depth, where Sanker’s tight hips and overall size in countering larger WRs can work against him as the last line of defense. He’s quick in short areas, but top-end burst to serve as a centerfield type of safety remains vacant in his evaluation.
Overall, Sanker projects as a multi-phase contributor due to his instincts and tackling ability in isolated opportunities. Sanker is a constant figure around the football, who, with another dynamic season, could rise significantly on draft boards. Projecting him as a deep-third type of defender would be rich at this point, but playing him closer to the line of scrimmage showcases a hybrid athlete that fits the modern game.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
