Ole Miss safety John Saunders, Jr., still undecided on whether he’s coming back for 2024
Ole Miss football is returning the bulk of its 10-win core in 2024.
Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins — two of the Rebels’ top receivers this season — are coming back. Same for defensive linemen JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey, tight end Caden Prieskorn, right tackle Micah Pettus and a host of others.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart is widely expected to soon announce he’s forgoing the NFL Draft to stick around at Ole Miss for a third season and chase a national title. The College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams next season.
However, safety John Saunders, Jr., remains undecided. Saunders, Jr., transferred in from Miami (Ohio) last off-season and started every game for the Rebels. He has one year of eligibility left if he wants to use it.
He wasn’t ready to make a decision one way or another on Wednesday. Saunders, Jr., joined Pete Golding and a handful of his fellow Ole Miss defenders in meeting the media in advance of the Peach Bowl.
The Rebels take on Penn State for the first time ever on December 30 at 11 a.m. CT. Ole Miss is making its second New Year’s Six appearance in four seasons under head coach Lane Kiffin. A win over the Nittany Lions would secure the program’s first 11-win campaign in history.
“Honestly, I’m just thankful and grateful to have this opportunity,” Saunders, Jr., said. “Just coming from like a smaller conference and then coming to the best conference in like American football, it’s really amazing. I’m really just appreciative and just trying to make sure that I keep soaking up as much knowledge as I can; just getting better day in and day out.”
Saunders, Jr., this season was Ole Miss’ third-leading tackler (61).
He made 36 solo tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions (3). He had four pass breakups.
Ole Miss-Penn State is a matchup of 10-win teams, both of which had notable opt-outs in key defensive starters Chop Robinson (Penn State) and Cedric Johnson (Ole Miss).
But Saunders, Jr., wasn’t going to miss this opportunity, and he’s simply soaking up every minute of the experience. Ole Miss is 2-0 in the bowl’s ‘Battle for Bowl Week,’ following ‘wins’ over Penn State in friendly competition at Andretti Indoor Karting and the Five Yard Frenzy putting competition.
“This has been amazing,” Saunders, Jr., said. “This is my first New Year’s Six bowl, so really it’s just been eye-opening. I never did anything like this.
“To be able to be part of this team, like the opportunity, playing in the Peach Bowl and just keep getting better, it’s amazing, man. Really just trying to stay focused every day (and) making sure I control what I can control.”
Here’s everything else Saunders, Jr., had to say Wednesday.
Saunders, Jr., was joined at the Peach Bowl podium by Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding and Rebel linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste.
