Penn State Football: bold predictions for some of Nittany Lions’ top-rated freshmen

Penn State Football wide receiver – Kaden Saunders

Standing at 5-foot-10 and 178 pounds, Saunders has all the tools and athleticism to continue Penn State’s recent run of excellent slot receivers.

Enrolling early allows for the Ohio native to add size and strength, as well as build a rapport with the quarterbacks and offensive coaches, as well as become comfortable with the playbook.

With the three starting wide receivers (Parker Washington, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and Mitchell Tinsley) essentially set-in-stone already, the true freshman wide receiver will not find himself in the starting lineup this season unless something unforeseen happens.

Parker Washington will presumably be moved into the slot with Jahan Dotson’s departure, which is where Saunders is best suited to play. Seeing as that Washington will be one of the best receivers in the Big Ten, and likely won’t be coming off the field very often, it somewhat limits the role that Kaden Saunders can play in 2022.

Saunders will still get his opportunities, and by late in the season, could even by battling Malick Meiga for the role as the number four receiver.

Prediction:

By the start of the season, Kaden Saunders will have climbed up to fifth in the pecking order at wide receiver for Penn State Football, a spot in which he would be expected to step in from time to time and play some meaningful snaps. He will finish the regular season with at least 15 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.

We also very well may see Saunders in a punt return role at some point throughout the season, so keep an eye on that too.