Without a hoss leading the charge up front, Baylor School’s run to its first football state championship in nearly 50 years would likely not have been possible.
Brycen Sanders, who at 6-foot-6, 295-pounds is one of the top in-state offensive line recruits for the class of 2023, helped pave the way for what ultimately culminated in the Red Raiders 38-34 victory over Montgomery Bell Academy in the TSSAA Division II-AAA BlueCrossBowl at Finley Stadium earlier this month.
Less than three weeks later, Sanders made his commitment to Ole Miss official as he put pen to paper during Wednesday’s national signing day while surrounded by friends and family at the Naked River Brewing Company.
“To win a state championship and sign with Ole Miss in the same month is simply amazing,” Sanders said. “We put in so much work the last four years in order to make that state championship possible and it is something I will never forget.
“And to play football in the SEC is a dream come true and something I am extremely grateful for.”
Baylor’s star offensive lineman was the glue for a well-balanced attack that rushed for 265 yards and threw for 252 more in the comeback state championship victory.
247Sports.com has Sanders — a four-star prospect — ranked the No. 6 prospect in Tennessee and No. 307 nationally. He was one spot ahead of Marcel Reed in the state recruiting rankings and is the sixth-highest ranked signee for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels.
Led by Sanders’ blocking, Baylor scored 501 points in 13 games. He chose Ole Miss over LSU, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
“I will never forget what we accomplished here at Baylor,” Sanders said. “We came together as a team like we had all year and trusted each other. I am grateful to be a champion and I want to win championships at Ole Miss. I am ready to pursue a degree there too and hopefully get the chance to play in the NFL one day.”
Chattanooga-Area Football Signees
DJ Adams, Cleveland, Defensive Back — UTC
Brody Balliew, Calhoun, Offensive Line — Furman
Tony Boggs, Baylor, Defensive End — Duke
David Cole, East Hamilton, Wide Receiver — Kennesaw State
Ridge Redd, Sonoraville, Tight End — Jacksonville State
Dalton Restelli, Baylor, Tight End — UTC
Brycen Sanders, Baylor, Offensive Line — Ole Miss
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.