Rebels' DB John Saunders Jr. Set to Return For 2024 Season

Ole Miss Rebels senior defensive back John Saunders Jr. recently announced that he will be returning for his final year of eligibility.

OXFORD -- The Ole Miss Rebels are busy hosting multiple transfers this weekend, but they still managed to get some in-house work done, as it was reported on Sunday that senior defensive back John Saunders Jr. will be returning for the 2024 season, per On3.

This is huge for Ole Miss, as Saunders finished his first season with the Rebels No. 3 on the team in total tackles (65) after starting in all 13 games in 2023. The former transfer spent his first three collegiate seasons with the Miami (OH) RedHawks before arriving in Oxford ahead of the 2023 season. In his first season under defensive coordinator Pete Golding, Saunders registered 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and five passes defended. 

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Saunders' best performance of 2023 came against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 6, when he racked up six tackles, one TFL, one interception, and one pass breakup. Saunders was also named the SEC's Co-Defensive player of the Week following Ole Miss' victory over Texas A&M.

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In four seasons, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive back has recorded 132 tackles, three TFLs, eight interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and one touchdown. Saunders primarily played cornerback with Miami (OH), but Golding has since molded him into a versatile safety paired with Trey Washington. 

Other impact seniors joining Saunders for one last ride 2024 include defensive linemen Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues. In the secondary, Saunders will be accompanied by Washington, Chris Graves, Tahveon Nicholson (Illinois), Louis Moore (Indiana), and Key Lawrence (Oklahoma).