Interview: 4-Star 2023 All-American Georgia OT Madden Sanker Updates Recruiting Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The accolades paint the picture, but the game film tells the tale. At the end of South Paulding’s 2020 high school football season, the world of football caught onto Class of 2023 offensive lineman Madden Sanker. The 6-5, 300-pounder, tackle ripped apart 6A Georgia defenders taking home All-Region, All-State, and MaxPreps All-American honors. With the attention, next level scouts took notice seeing 13 offers dropped thus far spanning the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12. With two more years to rough up linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs, expect Sanker’s friends on the offer sheet to gather more company.
To update his offseason workouts, summer college camp circuit, and recruiting visits, the Spartan’s four-star lineman stopped by the RNG Lab.
Interview
Madden, with the snap of the ball on a Friday night, you are bringing the battle to the opposition. What fires you up during the season ready to give it your’ all for four quarters in every game?
The feeling of winning. I have been on highs, gone deep in the playoffs, and lows, not making it to the playoffs. I know both sides. The wins motivate me. I want to have fun with it and go home with a win.
Your strength when locking in and leg drive helps clears holes on running plays. What have you been doing in the weight room to keep adding more power to your overall game?
Explosive lifts, cleans, and jammer presses.
What are jammer presses?
That’s when you are attached to a weight, use your hips and push forward. I use two or three plates going however fast. But it is not about the weight, it is about how fast you can do it. I do the same with bench. It is not about the weight, but about the speed of it going up. That is what I am doing.
Have you maxed out this spring or summer? If so, what did you post?
My bench is 385, my squat is 585, and I got 300 on power clean.
Impressive.
Thank you.
You got a load of pancakes and knockdowns last season; do you know how many of each you racked up?
I am not sure. In eight games, I was around 72 pancakes and had some 80 knockdowns.
After watching your game film, that sounds about right. Do you have a goal for how many pancakes and/or knockdowns you want this fall?
I’m not worried about the stats; touchdowns are what I want. I want to make the hole clear for my running back. If it is a pancake on that block, then that is what it is. But getting the score is what I am looking at.
When the 2020 season ended, what did you focus on improving with your game on offense?
My footwork and technique. I had the strength down, and I can maul. I’ve been working on getting my feet square and my hands in the right spot. Last season I was aiming for their chest, but sometimes I was on the outside with my hands. I’ve been working on getting my hands inside and being more technical with everything.
You got some snaps on defense last season as well, will we see more of you on that side of the ball this season?
Yes, you should. On critical downs I will be at nose guard or defensive end. Anytime they need me, I’ll go in. I’ve been getting a lot of reps in practice on defense. We will see what happens.
Let’s get into your camp season. Did you get to compete at any top national camps this spring or summer?
I went to two Rivals camps. One of them was an invite only camp; that was the 5-Star Challenge. That is where I earned my 4-Star ranking. I also went to an Under Armour camp and earned an All-American invite to the game. I committed to that about a month ago.
Very cool. Did you compete at any college camps?
Yes, I went to Georgia a couple of times, for a camp and then a visit, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Clemson, and Auburn.
Staying in-state, how did the Georgia camp turn out for you?
It was great. We loved it. It was a good atmosphere, and I performed well. I went on June 1st; I got the offer the next day. At that camp I showed my talents. On the 15th or 16th, I went back. We liked it. Georgia has a good atmosphere.
And the Alabama camp, how did that go?
It was good. That was more about getting good work in. I got good work in against the top guys. Then I went on a visit afterwards and saw everything.
Which schools are now showing interest but haven’t offered yet?
Stanford, I’ve been talking to them a little bit, Missouri, Indiana a lot, and Arkansas.
How many offers are you holding?
I have 13.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
Georgia, Oregon, Ole Miss, Memphis, and Pitt.
Sanker’s Offer Sheet: Auburn, Duke, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech
You mentioned visiting Georgia, which schools did you get to visit this summer?
Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Auburn. At Auburn, I went for a visit and a one-on-one session. And I went to Clemson.
While on Clemson’s campus, what did you see and do?
I performed in front of the coaches for a little bit, then toured, saw the weight room, the field, and all that.
Looking ahead, even to the fall, are there any upcoming visits you may take?
I am planning on going to Georgia Tech on the 25th, Georgia on the 31st, and we’re planning on visiting Michigan State too, but that is a far drive. For game visits this fall, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and maybe Virginia Tech.
Busy man. Madden, thank you for your time today. Wishing you continued success with your recruiting.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Sanker family; Madden Sanker