2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Kelle Sanders, OLB, UAB

Kelle Sanders is an edge rusher at UAB with great NFL size who's able to defend the run really well. Hula Bowl scout Austin Cochran breaks down Kelle Sanders as an NFL Prospect in this article. — Kelle Sanders is an edge rusher at UAB with great NFL size who’s able to defend the run really well. Hula Bowl scout Austin Cochran breaks down Kelle Sanders as an NFL Prospect in this article.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Kelle Sanders #2
School (Code)	ALBI
DOB, Class Yr	2/16/1999, 6SR
Height, Weight	6047, 241
40 Yd Dash	4.75
Arms, Hands	3358, 1000
Position/Depth	OLB
Honors/Captainship	N/A
Season Viewed (yr)	2021-2022
Games Watched	2022 : VALB, ALAM 2021: LATC, TXRI
Scout Name / Date	Austin Cochran / 9/12/2022

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2021	13 GP, 10 Starts, 12 Solo, 28 TOT, 3.5 TFL, 2 SCK, 1 PBU
2020	7 GP, 6 Solo, 8 TOT, 2.5 TFL, .5 SCK
2019	JUCO
2018	JUCO

Player Summary:

Kelle is an athletic edge rusher who plays for UAB in their base 3-4 defense. He primarily lines up on the edge as a stand-up OLB and occasionally plays inside with a hand in the dirt at a 4i. He has elite height with above average arm length, but poor weight and a thin frame. He has good AA. Plays faster than his 40 time and has a really quick get off. Good speed off the edge and in pursuit. Good agility and COD ability. Good lateral movement ability. Covers RPO’s really well. Against the pass, he wins with speed and length. Has good bend to get around the edge and into the backfield. Does an adequate job using his length and plays with ok leverage. Doesn’t have much in the way of a bull rush. Has adequate hand usage. Really struggles if he doesn’t win initially with speed. He doesn’t have great strength and struggles to shed blocks at times. Occasionally drops back into coverage and does an adequate job. Against the run, he does a good job setting the edge. Does well against any runs to the outside. Reads RPO’s well and is athletic enough to make plays on the outside against outside zones and RPO’s. His speed and lateral agility occasionally allow him to make plays inside, but overall lacks the strength to work his way down line on inside running plays. Overall is a good run defender due to his good AA.

Scheme Fit:

Best fits as a stand-up OLB in a 3-4, but lack of strength and weight may push him to 4-3 OLB role.

Power Statement:

Kelle has a lot of the raw tools you like to see as an edge rusher with length, speed, and bend, but his lack of strength and weight may limit his effectiveness at the next level.