Name: Justin Sanders

Position: Safety

Hometown: Pearl, Miss.

Last college: Northeast Mississippi Community College

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 195 pounds

I picked Illinois because: I liked the school a lot. I took my visit in early December and I got to meet the players, the coaches, the staff, and they all seemed really excited about Illinois football.

My first impressions of Illinois: I’ve enjoyed the two weeks I’ve been here. It’s a new experience; it’s a big campus and all. But after learning where everything’s at, it’s like, man, this is big time. It’s a big time University. It’s something new to me, but I’m looking forward to it.

My previous college experience taught me: How to be on your own. Choosing who you hang out with, stuff like that. Being your own person. The junior college I was at was about four hours away from my house. Everybody went home on the weekends, so I was there by myself. Here people go home at spring break.

I’m going to major in: I’m currently looking. I was interested in going into computer engineering, but they informed me I would have to change my major because it’s real hard to do as a transfer, transferring credits to that major. I think I’m going to change to education right now.

When I grow up I want to: Be in the League. After football I want to own my own buisiness and coach. I like coaching, but the only thing I don’t like about it is it’s not enough money. I want to be a financial advisor, that’s what my dad does.

The person who had the biggest influence on my football career is: My dad. My dad is a former professional player. He played with New England and Philadelphia before I was born. He’s had the most influence on my life in general; he’s always been around, he’d come to my Friday night games, give me tips.

My mom would say I’m: Dependable. Hopefully honest. And funny.

My favorite food is: Fried chicken. My favorite meal would be fried chicken, macaroni, greens and some corn bread.

Other than football, my favorite sport is: Basketball. I have three older brothers who all played D-I basketball. I’ve always been around basketball. In my house, if you said anything bad about Michael Jordan you’d get kicked out of the family. That was the first sport I got into.

My career highlight is: My junior college game last year I had eight tackles, a pick, I caused a fumble for a touchdown and I had two pass deflections. It was a pretty good game.