Ace Sanders goes to Jacksonville in fourth round

When he was debating whether to come out for this year’s draft Ace Sanders was informed by the NFL Draft Advisory Committee that he would likely be a fourth round pick.

The prediction turned out to be accurate Saturday when the South Carolina receiver/punt returner, who began his career at Manatee High, was the fourth player selected in the fourth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars traded the number one selection in the fourth round (98^th overall pick) to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 101^st pick and used it to choose Sanders.

The 5-8, 175 pounder was the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in the SEC last season and first team All-SEC punt return specialist.

Sanders was second in the nation last year in the FBS in total punt return yardage with 429 yards and ranked fourth with 15.32 yards per return. He led the Gamecocks with 45 receptions and nine receiving touchdowns and was second in receiving yards.

Ace’s dad Tracy Sanders went undrafted out of Florida State, but signed with the Buffalo Bills. An injury jettisoned his NFL career, but he had a successful pro career in the Arena Football League with the Tampa Bay Storm.