Kaden Saunders

[NittanyChris]

Like most I'm quite happy with our two portal WRs. That said, what do we expect from Saunders next year? Initially he was supposed to be the second coming of KJ Hamler, a dynamic big play threat who can take it to the house at any moment. Will he fulfill this potential? How many snaps will he get next year? What do people think?

WE ARE!!!

 

[MacNit07]

Like most I'm quite happy with our two portal WRs. That said, what do we expect from Saunders next year? Initially he was supposed to be the second coming of KJ Hamler, a dynamic big play threat who can take it to the house at any moment. Wille he fulfill this potential? How many snaps will he get next year? What do people think?

WE ARE!!!

Great question. He really impressed in high school all-star camps too.

 

[lazydave841]

Hamler didn't play as a true freshman (ACL recovery), so Saunders is technically ahead of Hamler at this point (as little as 2 catches, 21 yards is). However, Saunders benefits from a 4 game threshold that didn't exist during Hamler's time.

Saunders was a camp marvel, but he was a Wildcat QB in HS, at least as a senior. I believe he has the tools to develop into a great slot guy, but I can only imagine his route running was raw.

Expectations are bound to be up; Parker Washington turned pro, and he had a strangle hold on the slot. His speed, as well as Evans, will be interesting. I think outside of KLS, they are our fastest WRs.

 

[Online Persona]

It's very early and he was undersized. I suspect we see him a little more developed this year and showing flashes of that make'em miss in a phone booth potential.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Hamler didn't play as a true freshman (ACL recovery), so Saunders is technically ahead of Hamler at this point (as little as 2 catches, 21 yards is). However, Saunders benefits from a 4 game threshold that didn't exist during Hamler's time.

Saunders was a camp marvel, but he was a Wildcat QB in HS, at least as a senior. I believe he has the tools to develop into a great slot guy, but I can only imagine his route running was raw.

Expectations are bound to be up; Parker Washington turned pro, and he had a strangle hold on the slot. His speed, as well as Evans, will be interesting. I think outside of KLS, they are our fastest WRs.

Yes, how easily we change our view of the past... Hamler did not flash or start as a freshman nor did Jahan Dotson...
As they honed their craft they exploded.
No one here knows why Saunders was redshirted, in fact it may have nothing to do with football. I am thrilled we have Saunders, Evans, KLS and Wallace.

Of them all ... I think KLS is the only one that can run with Singleton. Omary as he learns the position... Could become a great one too.

 

[NittanyChris]

Yes, how easily we change our view of the past... Hamler did not flash or start as a freshman nor did Jahan Dotson...
As they honed their craft they exploded.
No one here knows why Saunders was redshirted, in fact it may have nothing to do with football. I am thrilled we have Saunders, Evans, KLS and Wallace.

Of them all ... I think KLS is the only one that can run with Singleton. Omary as he learns the position... Could become a great one too.

My intention wasn’t to question why he was redshirted or to indicate that his redshirt somehow diminished his potential. I’m only wondering about how many snaps he’ll see this coming season. My guess is that it will all work out in the end and that the cream will rise to the top.

 

[GregInPitt]

It's very early and he was undersized. I suspect we see him a little more developed this year and showing flashes of that make'em miss in a phone booth potential.

Yep, we know he has the moves and speed that the flag football camp experiences display. But it would seem that his development in this Winter's S&C will be a part of the equation to get him snaps next Fall. 10 lbs of muscle can do wonders for a WR trying to get off the line against a physical DB as well as improve a players ability to take a big hit and get up off the ground......

 

[LMTLION]

Yes, how easily we change our view of the past... Hamler did not flash or start as a freshman nor did Jahan Dotson...
As they honed their craft they exploded.
No one here knows why Saunders was redshirted, in fact it may have nothing to do with football. I am thrilled we have Saunders, Evans, KLS and Wallace.

Of them all ... I think KLS is the only one that can run with Singleton. Omary as he learns the position... Could become a great one too.

Even in limited time as a freshman you could see Dotson had real potential. His development was fascinating to watch. We have been so fortunate to have talented and humble guys like Dotson come through program.

 

[ryoder1]

I expect Saunders to be a key contributor next season. This winter's S&C program will be important for him. He has the skills to be an impact guy for us. Needs to have the mental focus, game is not all physical.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

My intention wasn’t to question why he was redshirted or to indicate that his redshirt somehow diminished his potential. I’m only wondering about how many snaps he’ll see this coming season. My guess is that it will all work out in the end and that the cream will rise to the top.

Understood...

 

[royboy]

I expect Saunders to be a key contributor next season. This winter's S&C program will be important for him. He has the skills to be an impact guy for us. Needs to have the mental focus, game is not all physical.

Also has to show he can block.

 

[lazydave841]

Yes, how easily we change our view of the past... Hamler did not flash or start as a freshman nor did Jahan Dotson...

No view has changed. Hamler was recovering from injury and didn't have the opportunity. He would have been a welcomed addition to the '17 team if he could have put up numbers similar to his 2nd and 3rd years.

Dotson did in fact play in 8 games as a freshman (totalling 203 yards on 13 catches), but I don't remember if he ever started (maybe by the last game or 2 he might have, but I'm not certain).

The biggest outliers of our recent WR recruiting are Washington and KLS, both of whom saw a vast amount of snaps as true freshman. What is forgotten about that is other than Dotson, we didn't have anyone else of note. Our current group of freshman turning over into 2nd year players shouldn't be judged by their lack of true freshman experience; they weren't needed to do so.

 

[royboy]

The biggest outliers of our recent WR recruiting are Washington and KLS, both of whom saw a vast amount of snaps as true freshman. What is forgotten about that is other than Dotson, we didn't have anyone else of note. Our current group of freshman turning over into 2nd year players shouldn't be judged by their lack of true freshman experience; they weren't needed to do so.

Bottom line, the WR positions for 2023 are largely up in the air and will be the scene of crucial competition for playing time, with plenty of candidates. We really don't know who will emerge.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

No view has changed. Hamler was recovering from injury and didn't have the opportunity. He would have been a welcomed addition to the '17 team if he could have put up numbers similar to his 2nd and 3rd years.

Dotson did in fact play in 8 games as a freshman (totalling 203 yards on 13 catches), but I don't remember if he ever started (maybe by the last game or 2 he might have, but I'm not certain).

The biggest outliers of our recent WR recruiting are Washington and KLS, both of whom saw a vast amount of snaps as true freshman. What is forgotten about that is other than Dotson, we didn't have anyone else of note. Our current group of freshman turning over into 2nd year players shouldn't be judged by their lack of true freshman experience; they weren't needed to do so.

Agree ... If you factor in how the passes this past season were distributed the youngster's in this WR room shared a lot with the TE room and RB room.

It will be fun to watch.

 

[GregInPitt]

Bottom line, the WR positions for 2023 are largely up in the air and will be the scene of crucial competition for playing time, with plenty of candidates. We really don't know who will emerge.

Yep, and at least some of that competition will play out in Spring practices.

We might get a few clues as to how that is progressing in the B/W game.

 

[mnuccio2]

Bottom line, the WR positions for 2023 are largely up in the air and will be the scene of crucial competition for playing time, with plenty of candidates. We really don't know who will emerge.

 

[rll1957]

It’s a huge adjustment to college level passing game. The first order of business is enough strength and explosiveness to defeat press coverage

 

[NittanyPirate]

It used to be rare for a true freshman to play. Now we almost expect they be ready to make an impact. Saunders has time and talent on his side.