Watching Penn State star wide receiver Jahan Dotson rack up 242 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the best performance by a wideout in Nittany Lions’ history, it’s not hard to worry about the future of the position after he likely enters the NFL Draft after the season.
However, like former Lions’ wide receivers Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, KJ Hamler, and many more before him, others will step up to fill the big shoes of Dotson. A player that could one day serve as the X-factor in the Lions’ offense isn’t on the roster yet, but he’ll be there soon: 2022 four-star Kaden Saunders.
Saunders, who is ranked as the 56th recruit (fifth-ranked wide receiver) in the class, saw his high school career come to a close Friday night with a loss in the Ohio Division II playoffs. However, he flashed just what makes him such a sought-after recruit all season long.
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Senior Regular Szn Highlights 💯— 𝐊𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 ² (@KSaunders03) November 2, 2021
With lightning speed, clocked at a 4.31 40-yard dash time, Saunders is a big-play threat every time the ball is in his hands. He thrives with the ball in his hands, using sharp cuts and jukes to make defenders miss and turn slants and screens into chunk plays.
Saunders completed 9-of-14 passing attempts this season for 94 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 324 yards and five touchdowns on just 28 attempts and racked up 321 yards and four more scores through the air on 30 catches. He also returned seven kickoffs for 196 yards and 11 punts for 148 yards.
While Saunders’ 5-foot-10, 172-pound frame may need a bit of seasoning to withstand the grind of an NCAA season, he should be able to compete for targets right off the bat for the Lions.
