Kaj Sanders

Kaj Sanders
No. 1 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
PositionDefensive back
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born (2006-01-04) January 4, 2006 (age 20)
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolBergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey)
College
Stats at ESPN

Kaj Sanders (born January 4, 2006) is an American football defensive back for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Early life

Sanders attended Bergen Catholic High School in Bergen County, New Jersey, and committed to play college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

College career

Sanders entered his true freshman season in 2024 as a starter, becoming the second-ever defender to start the season opener as a true freshman for the Scarlet Knights in a victory over Howard. He appeared in all 13 games with six starts, racking up 43 tackles and four pass deflections. Sanders entered his sophomore season in 2025 as a full-time starter. During the 2025 season, he appeared in all 12 games, recording 65 tackles, a pass deflection, two blocked kicks, and a return touchdown.

Personal life

Sanders is the son of former Virginia football player, LaQuan Sanders.

References

  1. 1 2 @GhostCity_Quan (January 4, 2025). "Happy 19th Birthday son @kajsanders_ enjoy" (Tweet). Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  2. ↑ Iseman, Chris (July 8, 2023). "Rutgers football lands Bergen Catholic's Kaj Sanders. Here's what it means for recruiting". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  3. ↑ Lanni, Patrick. "True freshman gets rare starting nod in Rutgers' season-opener vs. Howard". NJ.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ Iseman, Chris (April 18, 2025). "How Rutgers football safety Kaj Sanders is working to build on strong freshman season". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  5. ↑ Fonseca, Brian. "Rutgers football: Former elite N.J. recruit showing 'growth' after playing major role as freshman". NJ.com. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Kaj Sanders 2025 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Hunt, Todderick. "Greg Schiano earns highest-profile pledge of 2024 class from Big North 4-star DB Kaj Sanders". NJ.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Hunt, Todderick (December 20, 2023). "Kaj Sanders becomes 1st blue-chip from Big North to sign to Rutgers, signaling others to follow". NJ.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026.