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Ole Miss safety John Saunders to return in 2024

GGtKuYqW4AAo-ITby: Zach Berry01/14/24Zach_Berry
John Saunders Jr.
Petre Thomas | USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, OMSpirit’s Chuck Rounsaville reported he was hearing Ole Miss safety John Saunders was close to officially returning to school for 2024. Then on Sunday, the former Miami (Ohio) prospect made it official.

Saunders committed to Ole Miss December 2022, earned his spot on Pete Golding‘s defense and started every game for the Rebels this season. He finished with 65 tackles, defended four passes and picked off three more.

On3’s Charles Power named Saunders to his 2023 On3 All-Transfer Team. Power attributed his selection to the Ole Miss safety’s ability to disrupt offensive gameplans with his elite timing and ball skills in coverage.

“Saunders graded out as one of the better safeties in 2023,” Power said. “Per PFF, he finished the year with three picks and four pass breakups.”

Mississippi Rebels safety John Saunders Jr. (5) intercepts a pass to Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ainias Smith (0) in the 2nd half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Ole Miss won 38-35. (©Bruce Newman)

John Saunders did not expect to be playing football in another Oxford, but here he is.

He spoke with On3’s Andy Staples about his transition from the MAC to the SEC.

“The recruiting process for me was totally different,” Saunders said. “I got recruited by a whole different set of coaches. All the coaches that recruited me here are gone. The safeties coach that was here he was he was hinting at me like, ‘I want you to play for me.’ But, the corner coach was like, ‘I want you to play for me.’”

Saunders played cornerback for three seasons at Miami (Ohio) before transferring to Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2 safety made 52 total tackles, 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble for the Redhawks in 2022.

This season, though, Saunders thrived in Golding’s system and was named Second Team All-SEC. He has taken everything in stride since arriving. New system, new coaches, new school, everything.

“It was just crazy, honestly,” Saunders said. “Then, when Coach Neighbors got here, me and him, we got a good relationship and I kind of knew I [was] gonna be a safety. I like it because you’re around the ball more than at corner. It’s real active. I enjoy it.”

Saunders returns and joins a secondary which now features Illinois cornerback Taz Nicholson, Indiana safety Louis Moore and Oklahoma safety Key Lawrence. The Rebels also return starter Trey Washington and Miami transfer Chris Graves.

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