Perennial All-Arena Performer Terrance Sanders Joins Sharks

Tuesday October 14, 2014

 Reigning Playmaker of the Year headed to Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Sharks announced Tuesday that defensive back Terrance Sanders, the Arena Football League’s reigning J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Year, has been assigned to the Jacksonville roster on a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We expect Terrance to be a major contributor to our team,” Sharks Head Coach Les Moss said. “He has consistently proven to be an elite playmaker in our league on both defense and as a kick returner. We are excited to add a player of Terrance’s caliber to our team and look forward to working with him over the next two seasons.”

The 30-year-old Sanders (5’10”, 180) heads to Jacksonville fresh off perhaps the best season in a phenomenal six-year AFL career, during which he has earned four All-Arena selections. This past season, Sanders was recognized as the League’s Playmaker of the Year for his work in the secondary and on special teams with the Spokane Shock.

On defense, Sanders racked up 11 interceptions, returning those picks for a total of 159 yards and three touchdowns, to go along with 16 pass breakups and 71 total tackles. He also finished as one of the top kick returners in the League, totaling 1,687 yards and four touchdowns on his 79 runbacks. Sanders also returned a missed field goal for a score, giving him a total of eight non-offensive touchdowns in 2014. For his efforts, Sanders earned a First Team All-Arena selection as a kick returner.

In 2013, Sanders received a First Team All-Arena selection as a kick returner after totaling 96 returns for 2,265 yards and six touchdowns. He also notched a career high total of 101 tackles (89 solo), seven interceptions, 18 pass breakups a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. During the 2012 season, Sanders earned a First Team All-Arena nod as a defensive back as well as a spot on the Second Team as a kick returner. That season, Sanders again notched seven interceptions, bringing those picks back for a total of 180 yards and a touchdown. He also notched 14 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and returned four kickoffs for scores.

While Sanders did not earn an All-Arena honor during any of his first three years in the League, he has been productive since first joining the League. After a brief stint with the Utah Blaze in 2008, Sanders picked off four passes and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns with the Arizona Rattlers in 2010 before heading to Spokane for the next four seasons.

Over the course of his career, Sanders has amassed 425 total tackles (376 solo), 34 interceptions, 72 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. He has amassed 20 kickoff return touchdowns, bringing back at least two kicks for scores in each of the last five seasons. Sanders boasts a career average of 21.6 yards per kickoff return, and has also scored two missed field goal return touchdowns.

Prior to the start of his AFL career, Sanders spent his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois, where he helped his team win back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships in 2005 and 2006.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and four-time South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2015 season are now available, two tickets for as low as $99. To purchase your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.