The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WE will have to wait just a little longer for Mavin Saunders' debut on the field for the Kansas Jayhawks football programme.

The Jayhawks recently announced that their annual Spring Game, originally scheduled for April 28, will be downgraded to an open practice due to a lack of availability of healthy offensive linemen.

Saunders transferred to the Jayhawks from the Florida State Seminoles and was ranked the third best transfer tight end by College Football Focus behind Thaddeus Young (LSU) and Jesse Conners (Syracuse).

The Jayhawks will return two tight ends from last year's roster, redshirt sophomore Jace Sternberger and sophomore John Kelly. They will also return nine starters on offence, providing a much more experienced roster for the 2018 campaign.

Following a disappointing season for the entire Seminoles football programme, Saunders announced his intention to transfer in late November.

"I know it is an up and coming programme and that's why I wanted to visit," Saunders said to JayhawkSlant.com. "When I had a chance to meet coach [David] Beaty and all of the other coaches I could tell it was a family atmosphere. They care about more things than football. The most important thing was the family atmosphere. They showed me the blueprint on how they would use me and helping the team. The (KU) coaches said they liked my athleticism and how I can cause some mismatch problems," Saunders said.

"They liked my ability to make plays on offence and help protect the quarterback and all of the things that a tight end is supposed to do. I just want to do whatever it takes to win games."

Saunders did not record a reception last season and his Seminole stats for his career included 16 receptions for 234 yards. "What's gone on at Florida State a lot of people needed a new fresh start," he said. "I'm blessed to be able to graduate and have that extra year. I'm fortunate to be able to play in an up and coming programme and help this team and grow and hopefully share my wisdom with the young guys and also learn from them. I'm looking forward to it."

The 6'6", 258-pound tight end finished his sophomore season with 10 receptions for 182 yards - both career highs. As a redshirt freshman he totalled six receptions for 52 yards.

Saunders rose to prominence in the Tallahassee community for his work off the field. And he was one of 11 players named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

Saunders was nominated for the honour in July based on his contributions to the surrounding community in Tallahassee, Florida, as a volunteer mentor at Riley Elementary School.

He was also named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honour Roll for two consecutive seasons.

Saunders joined the Frank Rutherford Foundation Programme in Houston in 2009 as a basketball recruit and played the sport until his junior season when he made the transition to football.

The love for basketball remains with the tight end and looks to become a fan of the Jayhawks vaunted basketball programme.

"When I came in for the visit everybody was off campus for Christmas break," he said. "I'm looking forward to going to all of the basketball games."