To say that Penn State footballโs receivers need to be better in 2024 would be an understatement, and Kaden Saunders could be part of the solution.
Saunders came to Penn State as one of the schoolโs most prized recruits in the celebrated 2022 class.
But while players such as Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Abdul Carter and KJ Winston have all become regulars for Penn State, thatโs yet to happen for Saunders.
Through two season, Saunders has caught eight passes for 77 yards and has one ย touchdown. But the potential is still there, and Saunders is the latest subject of All 105, a Nittany Sports Now series profiling each Penn State football player.
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 176 pounds
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Before Penn State:ย Saunders was a two-time team captain for Westerville South High School
As a senior in 2021, he caught 38 passes for 392 yards, ran the ball 28 times for 324 yards, gained 294 yards on 10 kickoff returns and 165 yards on 12 punt returns.
As a junior, Saunders caught 47 passes for 948 yards, ran the ball eight times carries for 117 yards and gained 381 yards on 16 punt returns.
Sanders reached four-star recruit status on Rivals.com, On 3, 247Sports and ESPN. He was ranked No. 30 in the nation by ESPN, as well as the No. 4 receiver and the number two recruit in his state.
2022:ย Saunders redshirted his first season at Penn State, playing in three of the teamโs 13 games. He caught his first two collegiate passes in the teamโs 46-10 home-opening winย over Ohio in Week 2.
Last year:ย Saunders ended the season with six catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. He was also the teams primary punt returner for the first five games before being replaced by Daequan Hardy. Hardy promptly made Penn State history and returned two punts for touchdowns against UMass.
Where he stands:ย Saunders will likely end up fighting for a starting slot receiver spot with classmate Omari Evans and Liam Clifford, whoโs a year older. The first two spots will almost surely be filled by Julian Fleming, who transferred this winter after four seasons with Ohio State, and Trey Wallace, provided both are healthy. With Hardy gone to the NFL, Sauders should also be the front runner for the starting punt returner job.
A quote by Saunders:ย โGrowing up, I didnโt even think Iโd be playing college football,โ he said. โI was always set on baseball, but once I got into high school and everything and offers started coming in, really my mind wasnโt set on going to Ohio State, it was just going to where the best fit was for me and my family.โ โ Kaden Saunders to reporters via Zoom ahead of the teamโs game at Ohio State last October.
A quote about Saunders: โKaden has grown a lot. Heโs always asking me questions, in our room, on the field. We have a really good relationship. โฆ I can tell heโs a lot more comfortable than he was last year. Heโs playing fast. Heโs playing fluid, and heโs gotten a lot stronger in the weight room.โ โ Drew Allar
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