'15 CA WR C.J. Sanders (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[Irishbounty28]

Pumped about this kid. He has the makings of a pretty good slot receiver, and pedigree to boot. This is a pleasant surprise!

 

[Luckylucci]

Everywhere I've looked Stanford was thought to be the favorite. Nice win!

 

[Irishbounty28]

Everywhere I've looked Stanford was thought to be the favorite. Nice win!

Must have played it pretty close to the vest having no profile on here at all before committing. I think it goes to show that the "get them on campus" idea has quite a bit of merit to it. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the class.

 

[Irish YJ]

Love the speed, and the family seems to be very solid. I worry less about OSU than USC. Hate that he is moving to CA.....

 

[vmgsf]

Have Tom Loy's crystal balls been broken?

 

[irishff1014]

Very exciting to see this. I like the sneakiness about the whole deal. Not much heard about him or his recruitment. It would be better for football if more kids were like this.

 

[Domina Nostra]

When I see a kid that (1) takes initial contact like he does , (2) has wiggle and acceleration, and (3) has track speed (10.64), I'm not sure what's not to like.

This kid is going to be very productive for us. He reminds my of Hunter Jr. with some muscle.

 

[#1rish]

All you had to do was follow the damn train, C.J.!


Welcome young man!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Love the speed, and the family seems to be very solid. I worry less about OSU than USC. Hate that he is moving to CA.....

Makes sense that you say that, but this wasn't even a blip on USC's radar right now. I just checked to make sure, but there wasn't even a thread about it on Rivals, and I listened to a recent USC recruiting podcast this morning on the way to work (dated the 30th of April), and there wasn't a mention of him on that podcast either. They have TONS of guys they are in on, as CA is absolutely loaded this year. I know in their minds, they have bigger (or just different) fish to fry. Sure, they offered him, but as we all know, many offers are just, "Hey, just to let you know we will be recruiting you."

Not that he's a bad player or anything, just saying that USC wasn't recruiting him as hard as others were at this time. And that could mean that he just wasn't showing any interest as well. Who knows? But USC doesn't concern me, and to be honest, neither does OSU. This one feels solid, and I'm as pessimistic as they come when it comes to recruiting.

 

[Irish YJ]

Makes sense that you say that, but this wasn't even a blip on USC's radar right now. I just checked to make sure, but there wasn't even a thread about it on Rivals, and I listened to a recent USC recruiting podcast this morning on the way to work (dated the 30th of April), and there wasn't a mention of him on that podcast either. They have TONS of guys they are in on, as CA is absolutely loaded this year. I know in their minds, they have bigger (or just different) fish to fry. Sure, they offered him, but as we all know, many offers are just, "Hey, just to let you know we will be recruiting you."

Not that he's a bad player or anything, just saying that USC wasn't recruiting him as hard as others were at this time. And that could mean that he just wasn't showing any interest as well. Who knows? But USC doesn't concern me, and to be honest, neither does OSU. This one feels solid, and I'm as pessimistic as they come when it comes to recruiting.

Thanks for the detail LA! I hope he stays low on their list. My fear is that he totally kicks ass out there, his stock rises, and all of a sudden he rises up their board. He sounds like a kid that is too smart to get mesmerized by the USC environment. Knock on WOOD!

 

[TheTurningPoint]

I wouldnt worry about this kid flipping. Can he flip, sure its college football recruiting. It was a bit shocking of a commitment, but with this kids history/family history, they are no strangers to being in the spotlight and handling media/etc. So one has to feel it wasnt a heat of the moment decision, nor one that doesnt have substance behind it. I believe ND's acting dept had a large impact in the decision, and while USC/UCLA probably offer more connections in that area, NDs academics as a whole probably pushed this one over the edge. I mean the kid had a Yale offer, kid is sharp.

 

[Grahambo]

I wouldnt worry about this kid flipping. Can he flip, sure its college football recruiting. It was a bit shocking of a commitment, but with this kids history/family history, they are no strangers to being in the spotlight and handling media/etc. So one has to feel it wasnt a heat of the moment decision, nor one that doesnt have substance behind it. I believe ND's acting dept had a large impact in the decision, and while USC/UCLA probably offer more connections in that area, NDs academics as a whole probably pushed this one over the edge. I mean the kid had a Yale offer, kid is sharp.

 

[Cackalacky]

Everywhere I've looked Stanford was thought to be the favorite. Nice win!

This is surprising considering Stanford usually has an OL in the slot.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I wouldnt worry about this kid flipping. Can he flip, sure its college football recruiting. It was a bit shocking of a commitment, but with this kids history/family history, they are no strangers to being in the spotlight and handling media/etc. So one has to feel it wasnt a heat of the moment decision, nor one that doesnt have substance behind it. I believe ND's acting dept had a large impact in the decision, and while USC/UCLA probably offer more connections in that area, NDs academics as a whole probably pushed this one over the edge. I mean the kid had a Yale offer, kid is sharp.

I agree. My sense is that the kid has lived kind of a charmed life, and ND just fits right in the story.

As far as life after college (and this is a life after college kid), there are a few schools that stand out. Stanford and ND are on top. Stanford gets most of the boxes checked, and its a no-brainier for cold opportunists (reputation, plus location, plus connection), but it has no soul. Its in one of the most posh areas of the country and is full of the most hyper-ambitious kids imaginable. Stanford is all about MONEY. ND is the school that puts it all together: football, family, family, and academics. Sure there are a lot of ambition and rich kids, but the combination of being in South Bend and its Catholic roots keep it grounded. Coming from a football family, I'm the ND decision makes perfect sense.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I vaguely remember reading a story about this kid probably about a year ago. Im almost positive it was on this site, it went into his acting career and the transition to regular kid or something like that. It was an interesting read. Anyone remember?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The things I like about CJ :

I saw some film on him a while back when a friend of mine were talking fast receivers. The film I saw, (mostly because it was pointed out), was that this kids acceleration, change of direction, and ups are all ridiculous. I mean there may not be much of a precedent at the high school level. His regular game films have stuff that doesn't show up on his highlight film. They were talking about some kids having a 40 inch vertical jump, this kid, more than once went up what looked like a half a body higher than his opponent. He isn't physically a smash you in the mouth kind of guy, but he can hold his own, dish it out and take it, and his hands look really strong. He kind of reminds me of a dare I say it? A Golden Tate with a little more spring.

From Keith :

Sanders is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver from Nashville’s Brentwood Academy. He’s the eight member of the growing class of 2015, joining Allen, Texas’ Jalen Guyton at wide receiver. Sanders visited campus last weekend, needing very little time to pull the trigger on picking the Irish.

https://twitter.com/TheLifeofCeej/status/463755106756743168/photo/1

While Sanders is a fairly off-the-radar prospect in this recruiting cycle for Irish fans, one thing that’s readily apparent is his speed. An elite level sprinter, Sanders ran a 10.64 100 meter dash last year in track and field. That speed flashes once you watch Sanders’ highlights, when he caught 52 passes for 734 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. (Roughly one out of four?)

Sanders’ athleticism is the product of a great family tree. His father Chris played wide receiver for Ohio State and then played seven seasons in the NFL. His stepfather Corey Harris played 12 seasons in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the Ravens. His mother played basketball at Michigan.

Irish add commitment from WR C.J. Sanders | Inside the Irish

And I like everything about this tweet --

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I have officially committed to the University of Notre Dame & I thank God for this opportunity. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoIrish&src=hash">#GoIrish</a> <a href="http://t.co/T4oyCUO44c">pic.twitter.com/T4oyCUO44c</a></p>— CJ Sanders (@TheLifeofCeej) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLifeofCeej/statuses/463755106756743168">May 6, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

BA's Sanders to face dad in football matchup

Published: September 1, 2011

BA's Sanders to face dad in football matchup | Brentwood Academy athletics, C.J. Sanders, Chris Sanders, Tennessee Titans wide receiver, Stacie Harris, Corey Harris, Montgomery Bell Academy, brentwoodhomepage.com, Brentwood Home Page, Brentwood TN news, sports, TSSAA Division II Middle/East Region high school football, actor, Ray Charles biopic, Third Watch, TV, Nashville TN, BHP


Freshman CJ Sanders scored two touchdowns against Maplewood in a 35-7 BA win last week. He will be facing his old school - and his dad - Friday when the Eagles travel to MBA. (Photo by Pierce Greenberg)

Former Titans receiver coaches for Eagles' opponent MBA

By PIERCE GREENBERG
For Brentwood Home Page
When Brentwood Academy meets Montgomery Bell Academy on the gridiron Friday night, BA freshman CJ Sanders' mom, Stacie Harris, will be watching intently.

But she won't just be glued on CJ's performance. She'll also be keeping an eye on the MBA’s home sideline, where CJ's dad, Chris Sanders, a former Tennessee Titans wideout, will be coaching the Big Red receivers.

Harris can't wait to see how Sanders will respond to his son's play – for the opposing team.

"It's funny how he will step into the coaching and parent role and how he will respond if (CJ) does something great," Harris said."I know how he gets excited and emotional about CJ. I can't see him not being a parent for a second. I'm sure he'll do a little clap or fist pump or something."

Harris and CJ's dad are divorced but share a common bond when it comes to CJ's accomplishments.

"I texted (Chris) today and said 'Hey, I know you are over there strategizing against our son,'" Harris said. "We have been teasing each other."

The good-natured ribbing actually "goes back a long way," Harris said. Chris played football at Ohio State and Harris played basketball at Michigan.

As for CJ, his mom said that he's excited, too.

"It is a big thing to play against his dad… and just for his dad to actually be able to see him play football," Harris said.

When he was younger, CJ Sanders played the young Ray Charles in the biopic Ray and then appeared in several films and television shows.

But there is another storyline for CJ. He attended MBA as an 8th-grader. "He's going to the freshman game (Thursday night) to support all of his friends," Harris said. "He's excited because he did go to school there last year."

From 1st through 7th grade, CJ lived with his mom in Los Angeles, and was an actor in such films as the biopic Ray as the young Ray Charles and on the TV show Six Feet Under.

Stacie remarried former Vanderbilt and NFL football player Corey Harris, and both decided to move back to Nashville when CJ was 13. After one year at MBA, Stacie Harris wanted to find the high school that was the best "fit" for her son.

"MBA is a great school, so it has nothing to do with them not being a good fit. But as his mother, I had to do what was a good fit for CJ," Harris said. "I loved that (BA) was a little smaller and the Christian atmosphere."

Interestingly enough, Harris quizzed other schools about their athletic programs, but when it came to Brentwood Academy she never asked about the football program or CJ's prospects of playing time

"(BA) is the one school I went in and didn't meet the coach. I figured his ability and God would take care of the rest," Harris said.

Based on his early-season performance, she might be right. When several other playmakers went down with injuries, CJ suddenly found himself in a starting role. Last week against Maplewood, the freshman exploded for two touchdowns - a 39-yard catch and a 50-yard scoring run.

"He's a really young guy. I'm not sure he knows what he's doing yet, but he's got a lot of speed and a lot of talent," BA head coach Ralph Potter said after the game.

On Friday night, Sanders will use that talent and speed to try and hand MBA - and his dad - a conference loss.

Mom will be watching.

 

[tko]

Welcome aboard, son. The family grows!

 

[UmphreakDomer]

I wouldnt worry about this kid flipping. Can he flip, sure its college football recruiting. It was a bit shocking of a commitment, but with this kids history/family history, they are no strangers to being in the spotlight and handling media/etc. So one has to feel it wasnt a heat of the moment decision, nor one that doesnt have substance behind it. I believe ND's acting dept had a large impact in the decision, and while USC/UCLA probably offer more connections in that area, NDs academics as a whole probably pushed this one over the edge. I mean the kid had a Yale offer, kid is sharp.

exactly. this is what i was saying. and those thinking about "more opportunities" at usc or ucla as far as a acting career. he already has an acting career in one of the most critically acclaimed tv shows in recent history and an oscar winning movie. he's got a career in that area. maybe he saw the "strong and true" with kei. and knows that ND will allow him to do both.
and is he's a 4 str how does nobody else know about him? thats my main question.

 

[dublinirish]

exactly. this is what i was saying. and those thinking about "more opportunities" at usc or ucla as far as a acting career. he already has an acting career in one of the most critically acclaimed tv shows in recent history and an oscar winning movie. he's got a career in that area. maybe he saw the "strong and true" with kei. and knows that ND will allow him to do both.
and is he's a 4 str how does nobody else know about him? thats my main question.

Good thing Emerson dosen't have a football program..

 

[Bogtrotter07]

CJ, a chara,

Mharaíonn luas; stailceanna tintreach sula ndéanfaidh an toirneach fuaim!
Ansin croith síos an toirneach!

Gaeilge Téigh!

Beir bua agus beannacht,

Bogtrotter

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm having trouble finding it, can someone summarize his acting career real quick (What exactly has he been in)??

 

[RuntheBall]

I'm having trouble finding it, can someone summarize his acting career real quick (What exactly has he been in)??

C.J. Sanders - IMDb

According to his profile, CJ is best known for Ray, but has also been in a number of other projects, namely, Six Feet Under and First Sunday.

Wow, I that sounds super thesis-y. I should stop writing thing for a while...

 

[ND NYC]

he's gonna have to let Barnett wear #8

 

[arrowryan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to my little brother <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLifeofCeej">@TheLifeofCeej</a> on his commitment to ND yesterday. He played my son in Ray. Proud of u <a href="http://t.co/f0bYbYHF6n">pic.twitter.com/f0bYbYHF6n</a></p>— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjamiefoxx/statuses/464106401933979648">May 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[NDBoiler]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to my little brother <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLifeofCeej">@TheLifeofCeej</a> on his commitment to ND yesterday. He played my son in Ray. Proud of u <a href="http://t.co/f0bYbYHF6n">pic.twitter.com/f0bYbYHF6n</a></p>— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjamiefoxx/statuses/464106401933979648">May 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's pretty awesome.

 

[Luckylucci]

According to CJ they stay in touch pretty regularly and Jamie said that with him on the west coast now. They'll be seeing more of each other.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I thought USC was supposed to have all the star power.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Congrats to my little brother <a href="https://twitter.com/TheLifeofCeej">@TheLifeofCeej</a> on his commitment to ND yesterday. He played my son in Ray. Proud of u <a href="http://t.co/f0bYbYHF6n">pic.twitter.com/f0bYbYHF6n</a></p>— Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamjamiefoxx/statuses/464106401933979648">May 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

he didn't play his son though. the played young Ray. funny.

 

[ACamp1900]

I am totally picturing Foxx sitting at home when he agent calls him..


Agent/Publicist- “JF, how is it going super star!! Big Money. Hey, C.J. Sanders just committed to play football at ND. This is a nice opportunity to publically support him… help the public image, you should drop something on twitter at least. Show you never forget the little people.”

Foxx- “Who??”

 

[gkIrish]

I am totally picturing Foxx sitting at home when he agent calls him..


Agent/Publicist- “JF, how is it going super star!! Big Money. Hey, C.J. Sanders just committed to play football at ND. This is a nice opportunity to publically support him… help the public image, you should drop something on twitter at least. Show you never forget the little people.”

Foxx- “Who??”

Lol! But I honestly think that's far from what happened.