Ole Miss Rebels DB John Saunders Named to 2023 Midseason All-Transfer Team

Ole Miss Rebels safety John Saunders Jr. has been an effective chess piece in his first season in the SEC.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Halfway through the 2023 season, the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels have shown vast improvement on the defensive side of the ball, and it is thanks in part to the transfer portal additions from the offseason.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin gifted new defensive coordinator Pete Golding a unit fully stocked with transfer talent at all three levels. Headlining the defensive transfers is senior safety John Saunders Jr., who is midway through his first season in the Southeastern Conference.

Saunders spent his first three collegiate seasons with the Miami (OH) Redhawks before deciding to transfer to Ole Miss last December, and the High Point, N.C., native has played well enough to garner some national media attention during the Rebels' bye week. 

On3 recently released its 2023 Midseason All-Transfer Team, and Saunders was selected as one of the four defensive backs. Interestingly, former Ole Miss cornerback Davison Igbinosun also made the team in his first season with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

"Saunders doesn’t have the stat profile of some other DBs, but the Miami (OH) transfer has been an effective star/free safety for the Rebels.," On3 writes. "Through six games, he’s graded out as a Top 10 defensive back in the SEC — mainly due to his stingy coverage rate (56.3%)."

Ole Miss Rebels safety John Saunders Jr. vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks (2023)

Through six games this season, Saunders has recorded 32 tackles, two TFLs, five pass breakups, and one interception. The former transfer currently ranks third on the team in tackles.

The entire Midseason All-Transfer Defense can be found below.

EDGE: Andre Carter -- Indiana Hoosiers

EDGE: Josaiah Stewart -- Michigan Wolverines

DL: Bear Alexander -- USC Trojans

DL: Trajan Jeffcoat -- Arkansas Razorbacks

LB: Nick Jackson -- Iowa Hawkeyes

LB: Francisco Mauigoa -- Miami Hurricanes 

DB: Khyree Jackson -- Oregon Ducks

DB: Devin Neal -- Louisville Cardinals 

DB: John Saunders Jr. -- Ole Miss Rebels

DB: Davison Igbinosun -- Ohio State Buckeyes

DB: Shilo Sanders -- Colorado Buffaloes 

FLEX: Travis Hunter -- Colorado Buffaloes