Sanker (6-feet, 206 pounds) started three years at Virginia and piled up a big tackle count in the process. He followed up his solid collegiate career with good combine testing, where his 4.48-second 40-yard dash graded much better than most safeties.

In his final season, Sanker led Virginia in nearly every defensive category, finishing with 98 total tackles, including 65 solo stops, 8.5 tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. His 5.4 solo tackles per game led the ACC and ranked seventh nationally among FBS players.
Sanker made a name for himself as a playmaker in big moments, earning ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors a school-record four times in 2024. In a key 24-19 road win over No. 23 Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, he delivered a third-down tackle for loss, blocked a field goal, and intercepted a pass on back-to-back possessions. He also scored his first career touchdown on a 40-yard fumble return in a 24-14 win against Boston College on Oct. 5.

Following the season, Sanker was voted one of five team captains by his teammates, cementing his role as both a leader and a cornerstone of the Virginia defense.