Braylon

Sanders

Sanders (6'/194), who averaged 21.1 yards per catch at Ole Miss including 22.9 as a fifth-year senior, ran a 4.48 40 with a 34.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump a the Combine. Those are solid numbers but not ground shaking for an older prospect who never caught more than 24 passes in a season. It is possible he catches on as a field stretcher with room to grow, but he comes with production and age red flags.

With Jonathan Mingo and Dontarrio Drummond out on Saturday, the Rebels could really use Sanders on the field. While this is good news in that regard, keep in mind that Sanders also dressed for last Saturday’s game, but played only four snaps.

Sanders (6'0/190) warmed up, and was dressed, but logged only four snaps on the day against Auburn before ultimately sitting for the rest of the game. The Rebels could have used Sanders in this one, as quarterback Matt Corral struggled to the tune of 21-of-37 passing for 288 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Sanders was a game-time decision heading into this game. Assuming he didn’t further reaggravate his injury, he may suit up next week when the Rebels host Liberty.

Sanders (6'0/190) appears poised to make his return to action, and this is a big development for the Rebels. The senior wide receiver was injured during the wild overtime win at Tennessee, and as a result, he sat out last weekend’s win over LSU. Sanders has caught 13 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns this season, and his return gives QB Matt Corral a talented big-play threat to work with.

Sanders (6'0/190) was injured early in last week’s win over Tennessee, and his absence robs Mississippi of one of its top options in the passing game. The senior wide receiver has caught 13 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, ranking among the SEC’s best in yards per reception (23.3).

Sanders (6'0/190) did not return to action in Saturday’s game, finishing the day with two catches for 25 yards on four targets. Sanders missed the entire second half, as head coach Lane Kiffin provided no update on his status after the game. Sanders has been one of Ole Miss’ most explosive players on the season, registering 13 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns on 29 targets. He is averaging 23.3 yards per reception. His status will be one to monitor leading up to Saturday’s SEC matchup against LSU (4-3).

Sanders (6'0/190) led the team in targets with five, despite QB Matt Corral only unleashing 21 throws on the day. Though he only caught two passes, the senior wideout made both of them count as his first reception was a spectacular grab down the middle of the field for 59-yards to setup a short-yardage score. His second big play was a 68-yard strike where he beat his man down the left sideline and was hit perfectly in stride by Corral for the game-winning touchdown reception with 1:08 seconds left to play. Sanders stepped up in a big way with Jonathan Mingo out indefinitely due to a foot injury and will continue to serve as the team’s primary deep threat next Saturday against Tennessee.

Ole Miss just lost Elijah Moore to the NFL and will be retooling its receiving corp for the coming season. Sanders (6'0/190) has waited patiently while Moore (and D.K. Metcalf and AJ Brown before him) have had their moments in the spotlight. His turn next? Perhaps, perhaps. The opportunity will be there, at least. Sanders has yet to record a season over 400 yards receiving. Joining Sanders on the position depth chart, Dontario Drummond, Jadon Jackson and the talented-but-inconsistent Jonathan Mingo. Not all of the roster pieces are set quite yet, but Ole Miss figures to once again have one of the more explosive offenses in the FBS this fall.

No details regarding the reason why Sanders (6'0/190) won’t be available for Saturday’s game have been provided. The senior wide receiver has caught 15 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns this season, which works out to an average of 25.1 yards per reception. Sanders not being available means that Indiana’s defense will have one less big-play threat to be worried about.

Ealy (5'8/180) and Sanders (6'0/190) were both injured during the Rebels’ regular season finale against LSU, and neither has returned to practice. They’re now in a race against time to get medically cleared, as Mississippi is scheduled to face Indiana in the Outback Bowl on Saturday. HC Lane Kiffin said that, while he has no intention of pulling his team out of the game, there are issues throughout the roster when it comes to injuries and COVID-19 related absences. Mississippi may be able to play Saturday afternoon, but they won’t have much margin for error when it comes to the team’s depth.