What to know about New Orleans’ third-round selection.
Friday night was night two of the 2025 NFL Draft. In the third round, the New Orleans Saints selected Jonas Sanker, a safety out of Virginia.
Here are some things to know about the new kid in town.
#1. He’s a family man
In 2020, Jonas Sanker’s father, George, received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This has led Sanker to become a rock for his family.
“He’s helped me grow,” Jonas’ brother Thomas said in an interview with UVAToday. “He’s really easy to talk to. If I ever need anything, I just go to him … girl problems— just anything like that. He’s so good.”
#2. He led Virginia in tackles
In 2024, Sanker led the Virginia Cavaliers in tackles with 98, according to the school’s website. He also led the ACC with 5.4 tackles per game. Furthermore, he also had 8.5 tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. Sanker has had over 200 tackles since 2023.
This led Sanker to be named first-team All-ACC for the second time, the first being in 2023. He was also the team’s defensive MVP last season.
#3. He’s fast
Sanker ran the seventh-fastest 40 time among safeties at the scouting combine, clocking 4.48. His 10-yard split, however, was fourth among safeties.
Jonas Sanker (Virginia) is one of my favorite box safeties in this class. Good speed + closing burst, almost always wins at the catch point, plays with the mentality of a linebacker.
Leads FBS defensive backs with 173 solo tackles since 2023. pic.twitter.com/lpbMMpjMQD
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 17, 2025
#4. His name is not pronounced as you might first think
Jonas Valanciunas, the center for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA, pronounces his first name similarly. That means the first syllable of his name is “yo” and not “Jo.”