Penn State’s Kaden Saunders more confident as wide receiver, punt returner

Penn State’s 2022 recruiting class was one of the best in the nation as it landed superstars such as Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton and Abdul Carter.

However, former top-100 player Kaden Saunders didn’t make the impact he wanted to in his freshman campaign.

Saunders made just two catches for 21 yards in 2022, and it was a rude awakening for the Columbus, Ohio, native.

“I was just losing every drill I wasn’t used to losing,” Saunders said. “So it kind of got to me a little bit.”

Saunders was one of the top players from Ohio in the 2022 class, and he was used to being the best player on his team in high school.

During his junior season, he tallied 47 catches for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns while making an impact as a punt returner.

The second-year wide receiver noted it took time to adjust to the challenges of college football and playing against some of the top competition in the country, but his confidence “never went down at all.”

Saunders noted when he came to Happy Valley, he felt “heavy” and that his “body composition wasn’t right.”

The greatest adjustment Saunders’ made over the offseason was to his body. Despite gaining around five pounds, he mentioned “more lean mass muscle,” which has allowed him to take big hits over the middle of the field.

It was paramount for Saunders to not sacrifice his speed when putting on muscle because his speed is what made him a top recruit just a few years ago.

The former three-sport athlete worked to regain his speed in the offseason, and he got more comfortable as time passed.

”My speed’s back now. I feel much better. I move much better,” Saunders said. “The miles per hour on the catapults. I like what I see.”

In 2023, Saunders took over for Parker Washington as Penn State’s punt returner, and he’s been extremely impressive in the role.

He set a career-high last Saturday against Illinois with a 19-yard return, but the position is nothing new to him, who’s been returning punts since middle school.

“You just gotta have some balls to be back there,” Saunders said.

Saunders mentioned on Wednesday he learned a lot from Washington, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I feel like I’m in a way better spot mentally and physically than I was last year,” Saunders said. “Just getting that experience being able to be on special teams and find my way onto the field to help the offense is only gonna continue to increase my confidence.”

Another factor that has helped Saunders has been working with punter Riley Thompson.

Thompson has watched the Columbus, Ohio, product grow and develop over the summer months, and he’s been thoroughly impressed.

“Kaden has worked so hard during the course of this year to get where he is, and I think he’s honestly done an amazing job,” Thompson said. “Once he gets that chance to have a big return, he’s pretty electric on the ground, so I’m excited to see what’s coming for him.”

Saunders is set to have a crucial role in Saturday’s White Out contest against No. 24 Iowa. The Hawkeyes have one of the best punters in the nation in Tory Taylor.

However, Saunders’s preparation with Thompson has helped him practice returning the Australian-style end-over-end punts that both Thompson and Taylor use.

“I would say me being the punt returner, helps that a lot. Just being on the field and getting hit by guys,” Saunders said. “So I’m used to that when I get on the field as a receiver.”

Alex Rocco is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.