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FALL 2024 15 New name, image and likeness rules in place across the college sports landscape paved the way for the iconic game to make its triumphant comeback, this time with current football players from FBS programs around the country. Cavalier fourth-year Jonas Sanker was especially excited about the release, know- ing that his likeness would be portrayed in a game that he loved playing as a kid. Every player featured in the game is assigned an overall rating on a scale of 1-100. The rating is derived from a general average of a set of attributes, including speed, quickness, awareness and a variety of other football-related skills. A player's rating always produces a lot of chatter and smack talk among professionals who have been part of the same measuring system in the NFL's equivalent, Madden video game. Much to the surprise of Sanker and maybe not to the Cavalier faithful, Sanker garnered a 92 — the top strong safety rating in the game. "I think my speed could have been a little higher," joked Sanker when commenting on his final numbers. The rating was well warranted and that was evident in his play as a third-year on UVA's 2023 squad. The Cavaliers fell short of their team goals in 2023, finishing with a 3-9 record, a mark that included five losses by a touchdown or less and four by a field goal or less, but a star was born after the individual performance of Sanker. He was honored as a first-team All-ACC selection, and the Touch- down Club of Richmond recognized him as the state's Defensive Back of the Year. Sanker turned in five double-digit tackle performances, including 12-tackle efforts in the home opener against James Madison and in the first ACC road contest of the year at Boston College. Of the 12 tackles against the Eagles in Chestnut Hill, 10 were of the solo variety, which would become his trademark. He concluded his third-year campaign with a team-high 107 tackles, 11 passes broken ups and 2 fumble recoveries from his safety position. Sanker became the first Cavalier safety to lead the team in tackles since Juan Thornhill in 2018. Of those 107 tackles, he was credited with 73 solo hits, the most in the ACC and the second-most of any defensive back in the country. Sanker made that proverbial jump that college football players strive for from their second to third years. He came to UVA in 2021 as a 6-foot-1, 185-pound first-year from a high school that played eight-man football. The variation of the traditional 11-man game seen at the college and pro- fessional levels is generally played by high schools with small enrollments. A large part of that big step taken by Sanker between his second and third years was his physical maturity. Prior to his junior year he was a stout 210 pounds, a trait that put him into position to become one of the country's premier defensive backs. It's not often college coaches are patrol- ling the sidelines of one of the 2,000 eight- man high school football programs across the country seeking the next impact player. The unique variation of the game however did allow Sanker to showcase his versatility for Covenant School, located a little more than three miles away from Scott Stadium. He was a do-it-all, on-field athlete for head coach Seth Wilson, playing running back, quarterback and safety for back-to-back Vir- ginia Independent Schools Football League state title teams as a sophomore and junior. In addition to his football prowess, Sanker gained notice for playing another sport at Covenant, where he was a member of the basketball team alongside Eli Bennett, son of UVA men's basketball head coach Tony Bennett, as well as his older brother. "Playing basketball, the reason I enjoyed it so much was the smaller atmosphere," Sanker said. "When you're at a game and it's packed out it's a lot closer to the floor. I just liked the energy that comes with it." Sanker's decision to stay home to play his college football is rooted in the deep sense of responsibility he feels to his family, in particu- lar his six siblings. Jonas is the third oldest of seven children. He was born in Charlottesville, lived in Washington, D.C., and Colorado before eventually settling back into the city that the University of Virginia calls home. During an av- erage week for the student-athlete, Sanker will pop into his childhood residence for dinner, shuttle his younger siblings around town and even be available to babysit if needed. " Everyone wants the guy that's a good player, but it's hard to be the one that's holding your teammates accountable. He's doing a lot more of that this year, being more vocal and holding guys accountable individually and collectively." UVA DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH CUROME COX ON SANKER Last season, Sanker posted a team-high 107 tackles with 11 passes broken up and 2 fumble recoveries from his safety position. (Photo courtesy UVA)