Maurice Patton

mopatton@tennessean.com

Former Brentwood Academy wide receiver C.J. Sanders has committed to sign a football scholarship with Notre Dame.

Sanders is set to move to California at the end of the school year for his senior season after earning Tennessean second-team All-Midstate honors.

He posted the following on his Twitter account Tuesday afternoon:

"I have officially committed to the University of Notre Dame & I thank God for this opportunity. #GoIrish."

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Sanders is projected as one of the top receiver prospects in the 2015 class after catching 52 passes for 734 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior while helping BA to an 8-4 finish and a berth in the Division II-AA semifinals.

"He's such an exceptional student (that) I think he fits well with the academic reputation of the school," BA coach Cody White said. "I think that was a factor for C.J. That was important for him and always has been.

"As far as football, what more could you want for a guy who is such a superb talent? He's going to work hard, he's going to lead people in the right direction, and add to that he can play."

The son of former Ohio State and Tennessee Titans receiver Chris Sanders, C.J. has had offers from Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Cal, Duke and Northwestern among others. He said he narrowed his choices to Notre Dame, Duke, Stanford and Southern Cal, but his visit this past weekend sealed the deal.

"I visited this past weekend and fell in love with it," he said, adding the academic reputation appealed to him, too.

"With his speed in that offense — he's such a unique talent as far as a kid that can stretch the field vertically and still play in the slot and show some ability in space — he's going to be a good one for them," said Barton Simmons, national recruiting analyst for 247sports.com. "It's a great fit for C.J. What they offer off the field, with their academic prestige, is big for him."

Simmons said the 5-foot-9 Sanders compares favorably to Golden Tate, another local product who starred at receiver for the Irish. Tate, who played at Pope John Paul II, won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks this past season and has since signed with the Lions.

"They're both undersized bodies that can do some really special things with their athleticism," he said. "I think C.J. is more polished at this point as a route runner. Golden was more of a go-get-it, high-point the football receiver. C.J. is more of a technician in the slot. He's a tough mismatch for nickel (defensive backs). Anyone trying to cover him in that spot is going to have their hands full."

Sanders announced last month that he would be moving and enrolling at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., for his senior season.

Reach Maurice Patton at 615-259-8018 and on Twitter @mopatton_sports.