 He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference Team in his senior year, when he recorded 21 receptions for 276 yards with two touchdowns, as Minnesota tied for the Big Ten championship with an 8–2 record.The Lions selected Sanders in the third round of the 1968 NFL Draft, and he became their starting tight end for the next 10 seasons.He had 336 career receptions for 4,817 yards and 31 touchdowns.