Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Jonas Sanker, S
School: University of Virginia | Conference: Atlantic Athletic
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Age: 22 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’0”/ 206 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late 3rd-5th
Player Comparison: Jeff Heath / Kenny Vaccaro
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2021 | Virginia | ACC | FR | DB | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | Virginia | ACC | SO | DB | 10 | 36 | 27 | 63 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2023 | Virginia | ACC | JR | DB | 12 | 73 | 34 | 107 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 2024 | Virginia | ACC | SR | S | 12 | 65 | 33 | 98 | 9 | 2.0 | 1 | 45 | 45.0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 1 | 0 | |
| Career | 43 | 176 | 97 | 273 | 14 | 2.0 | 2 | 59 | 29.5 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 40 | 1 | 4 | |||||
Player Overview
Charlottesville-native Jonas Sanker was a local multi-sport athlete for The Covenant School (VA) where he played eight-man football as a quarterback, running back, and safety. He was a three-star prospect who initially committed to Boston College before switching to play for the local University of Virginia in 2021. He became the starter in 2022 and broke out in his junior year. In the last two seasons, Jonas lead the ACC in solo tackles. Over the last two seasons, he totaled over 200 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 15 pass defended, one interception, 3 forced fumbles with 4 fumbles recovered. Jonas earned first team All-ACC honors in 2023 and 2024. He was a Senior Bowl participant and invited to the Commanders local pro day.
Jonas Sanker is a versatile, high motor safety. He pairs high instinct with high intelligence, often coordinating the defensive coverages for his unit. Sanker thrives in zone coverage, knowing when to jump and break up short and intermediate routes. He has good speed and closing burst when he commits to tackle. However, that willingness has been inconsistent, as Sanker at times allows the play to come to him. This is where Jonas can get caught and be unable to immediately shake away from blockers. Sanker can play nickel but doesn’t have the fluidity and footwork to consistently keep up with receivers compared to tight ends. Jonas played over 500 snaps in special teams coverage which could help him find a spot on the 53-man roster. Jonas Sanker is projected to be a top Day-3 selection and expected to thrive best as a rotational deep safety and special teams coverage contributor.
Awards & Recognition
- First Team All-ACC (2023, 2024)
- Senior Bowl Participant (2025)
Metrics
Jonas Sanker is a FS prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.54 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 51 out of 1095 FS from 1987 to 2025.
Splits projected, times unofficial.https://t.co/eAbzGVBGjP pic.twitter.com/twc4SYYaS5
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025
Strengths
- Willing tackler.
- Great speed and closing burst.
- Times pass defenses well in zone coverage.
- Pairs good intelligence with instincts. Helps coordinate the coverage.
- Able to cover tight ends.
- Major special teams coverage contributor.
Weaknesses
- Does not have the foot speed and fluidity to keep up with wide receivers in nickel coverage.
- Best not to leave on an island in coverage.
- Undersized for a strong safety.
- Needs to shed blockers better. Play with more urgency against the run.
- 2 interceptions in 4 seasons. Sometimes lacks enough burst to undercut routes.
Let’s See His Work
Jonas Sanker (Virginia) is one of my favorite box safeties in this class. Good speed + closing burst, almost always wins at the catch point, plays with the mentality of a linebacker.
Leads FBS defensive backs with 173 solo tackles since 2023. pic.twitter.com/lpbMMpjMQD
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 17, 2025
Interviews
How Will He Fit On The Team
In the midst of the offseason moves, Darrick Forest departed for the Bills. Though Washington added Will Harris on a modest two-year contract, the front office could continue to add their guys into the secondary mix. Jonas Sanker is a safety who can play a bit of everything. If Sanker takes well to Joe Whitt’s coaching, he can be an asset in run and pass coverage. It may take a few years of development for Sanker to become a starter, but he can contribute in nickel sets, deep coverage, and on special teams. As for now, Jonas Sanker is a rotational safety who is at his best in short and deep coverage and on special teams.