Two-way lineman at Charlotte high school named NC Gatorade Player of the Year in football
Providence Day’s David Sanders is the 2023 N.C. Gatorade high school football player of the year.
An all-state and all-Charlotte Observer selection, Sanders is a 6-foot-7, 270-pound junior. He is ranked as the No. 1 national recruit in the class of 2025, according to rivals.com.
Last season, Sanders played on the offensive and defensive lines for the NC Independent Schools state champion. On offense, he helped the Chargers’ offense produce more than 3,700 passing yards in 13 games, while averaging 8.6 yards per rushing attempt. Despite playing nearly all season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, Sanders graded out at 93 percent as an offensive lineman and had 11 pancake blocks.
On defense, he had 24 tackles, four sacks and 32 quarterback hurries.
Off the field, Sanders is president of the Providence Day Student Diversity Club and has volunteered on behalf of the Alexander Youth Network for Foster Children and the Grant Williams Family Foundation. He has also served as a student intern with Novant Health Orthopedic Surgery.
He has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Providence Day football cleans up
Sanders is the second straight Chargers player to win the Gatorade award, following quarterback Jadyn Davis, a senior this past season now enrolled at Michigan. Davis won the state’s biggest award earlier this season, being named Mr. Football in North Carolina. Davis was also named MaxPreps NC state player of the year.
Sanders now gives Providence Day a sweep of the major football awards in North Carolina.
“David is an exceptional young man and a model student-athlete — he’s also the most gifted player I’ve ever coached,” Providence Day School head coach Chad Grier said. “He can dominate on both sides of the ball and is always a threat to block a kick. When we turn him loose, he’s an unstoppable force and fun to watch. He also has authentic charisma and leadership skills on the field that naturally influences teammates to follow his example. But it’s his ability to remain humble, grounded, hardworking and team-first that truly separates him.”
What is the Gatorade Player of the Year award?
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.
