Sandip Bakshi
 |
| No. 44 – Austin Copperheads | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 14, 2007 (aged 53) Webster, New York |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Webster Thomas |
| College: | Syracuse University |
| ISFL Draft: | Season 14 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 |
| DSFL Draft: | Season 13 / Round: |
| Career history | |
| Roster status: | Active |
Sandip "Sandy" Bakshi (born November 14, 2007) is an American football linebacker for the Yellowknife Wraiths of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). He played college football for Syracuse University (Syracuse).
Contents
Early years
Sandip "Sandy" Bakshi was born in Rochester, NY to Vishaal Bakshi and Pari Bakshi, both immigrants from India. His father Vishaal is a computer scientist, while his mother Pari is a doctor. Sandip is the oldest of 3 siblings. As a high school student at Webster Thomas High School Sandip played multiple position on the football team, including defensive line, linebacker, and tight end. Sandip was not only a capable football player but also an academic stand-out, although after graduating from high school Sandip admitted that he was fully committed to football and that academics were a means to pursue his passion.
College career
Sandy failed to receive any Division I football offers, but attended Syracuse University where he was a walk-on to the team. Sandy played rotationally at linebacker positions until his senior year, when he started at linebacker for the entire season and led the team is both tackles and sacks on the way to a Syracuse bowl victory. As a senior, Sandy graduated from Syracuse with a 3.7gpa and a degree in International Relations.
Freshman Season
Sandy was a walk-on to the team in his freshman year, impressing the coaching staff with his physicality and speed. Nevertheless, he saw minimal playing time appearing in 13 games mostly on special teams as Syracuse coasted to a disappointing 7-6 record.
Sophomore Season
Bakshi began his sophomore season as a depth linebacker, but was given starting time in Week 6 at the strong-side position after an injury to senior Jerome Baxter. Bakshi remained the started for 3 games, and had a particularly impressive game against Notre Dame in which he recorded 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Despite this, Bakshi showed obvious flaws as a linebacker with several missed tackles and poor coverage. Syracuse went 1-2 during his time as a starter and he lost his position upon Baxter's return. Syracuse would finish the season 9-4 but lose in its bowl game.
Junior Season
Bakshi was named a starter at the strong-side linebacker position for his junior season, but in reality he rotated between several positions including Defensive End. He had significant playing time through the first 5 weeks of the season, in which he had 28 tackles and 5 sacks as well as a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He suffered a hamstring injury early in a Week 6 game against Pittsburgh and would not appear in the remainder of the season. Syracuse would finish the season 9-4 again but once again lose in a bowl game.
Senior Season
Bakshi's senior season would be by far his best. Named a starter at the strong-side linebacker position and a team captain, Bakshi would see playing time at middle and weak-side linebacker as well. He started all 13 games of the season, leading the team in tackles and sacks and drawing the attention of NSFL professional scouts due to his significant improvements in coverage and pass-rushing moves. Syracuse would finish the season 10-3, its best season in 5 years, and win the Independence Bowl against Ole Miss. Bakshi was instrumental in Syracuse's bowl win, recording 2 sacks and 10 tackles as well as an interception, in what SU's head coach would describe as the "swan song" of Bakshi's college career. Sandy Bakshi was subsequently invited to play in the Senior Bowl, recording 3 tackles and a blocked pass.
College career statistics
Come back to this bit. Not sure how to generate the table yet
Professional career
DSFL career
Prior to the Season 14 DSFL draft, Sandy was claimed by the Tijuana Luchadores and reported to the team in Week 7 of the regular season. Bakshi's first game with the team came in a Week 9 loss to the San Antonio Marshals, in which Bakshi recorded 10 tackles and 1 sack. The Luchadores would go onto a 4 game winning streak to turn around their season and their playoff hopes, and Bakshi would lead Tijuana's late-season waivers claims and establish a role as a prominent tackler and pass rusher. In a pre-draft press conference Bakshi expressed his confidence that the Luchadores could make a successful playoff run if the defense continued to play well.
| Ht | Wt | 40‑yd dash | 20‑ss | 3‑cone | Vert jump | Broad | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
255 lb (116 kg) |
4.56 s | 19 reps |
NSFL Career
Yellowknife Wraiths
Sandip was drafted by the Yellowknife Wraiths in the 1st round at 5th overall of the Season 14 NSFL draft. He signed a 3-year, $6 million contract with the team and was the first of Yellowknife's draft picks to sign with the team.
Season 14
Sandy started all 14 games at the Middle Linebacker position for the Yellowknife Wraiths, recording 107 Tackles and 1 Sack. The Wraiths finished the season 6-8 and failed to make the playoffs.
Season 15
Sandy once against started all 14 games at Middle Linebacker for the Wraiths. He showed improvement over his rookie season with 125 Tackles, 2 Sacks, and 3 Interceptions. The Wraiths finished the season 7-7 and failed to make the playoffs for the 7th year in a row.
Austin Copperheads
Following the 15th season of the NSFL, the league announced an expansion of two new teams. The Austin Copperheads were added to the ASFC while the Chicago Butchers were added to the NSFC. Prior to the league expansion draft, the Yellowknife Wraiths did not place protected status on Sandip Bakshi. Sandy was selected in the 1st Round at 10th overall by the Austin Copperheads. Sandy joined the Copperheads in time to participate in optional offseason workouts as well as training camp. When jersey numbers were selected both Bakshi and Kicker Alfredo Crisco requested #44, however after an apparently brief discussion between the two players Bakshi was given #44 while Crisco took #4. Prior to the season beginning, Bakshi signed a 3-year, $4.5 million extension with the Copperheads.
Professional career statistics
| Season | Team | Games Played | Tackles | Tackles For Loss | Forced Fumbles | Sacks | Interceptions | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 14 | Yellowknife Wraiths | 14 G | 107 TKL | 2 TFL | 1 FF | 1 SK | 0 INT | 0 TD |
| Season 15 | Yellowknife Wraiths | 14 G | 125 TKL | 2 TFL | 0 FF | 2 SK | 3 INT | 0 TD |
| Total | --- | 28 G | 232 TKL | 4 TFL | 1 FF | 3 SK | 3 INT | 0 TD |
Achievements and records
Come back to this later
