The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE decision to pursue a career on the gridiron fulltime has paid great dividends for one Bahamian prospect as he accepted an offer from an elite NCAA programme to conclude the recruiting process.

Mavin Saunders committed to the Florida State Seminoles as the latest member of the 2014 class. The 6’ 5” 233-pound tight end chose Florida State over Arkansas, Houston, Illinois, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Utah.

“There were a lot of positives about it,” Saunders said. “It’s close to home, and that was a major factor in my decision-making process.”

Saunders is the Seminoles’ only tight end commitment, and could be the only player at the position in this class.

The Bimini native currently plays for the Kinkaid Falcons in Houston, Texas.

After making the switch from basketball to football, Saunders began to garner interest from several elite programmes around the country.

“I know I have a lot of catching up to do in football. Right now I’m relying on using my size and athleticism to get ahead because there are not a lot of guys my size with my skill set so I feel like I have a lot to offer. The more I learn the better I’m going to become, I’m just committed to working hard and getting better at this point,” Saunders said.

Tim Brewster, Saunders’ position and area recruiter, is credited for guiding Saunders’ commitment, one of four commitments for the ACC powerhouse this week.

“The recruitment process was crazy. It was at the point right now where I knew whenever the phone rang and it’s a strange number, it would be a new school to add to the list but I’m taking it all in stride,” Saunders said. “I know I’m blessed to be in this position and I’m grateful for God giving me the talent to be able to pursue my dreams.”

As one of the most imposing wide receivers on the field for the Falcons, Saunders helped the team to an 8-3 record and a playoff run in the Southwest Prep Conference.

He totalled 40 receptions for 505 yards and six touchdowns in his first season. His average of 12.63 yards per catch finished second on the team.

Saunders’ top performance came in a 66-7 blowout win over St Andrew’s (Houston, Texas) when he caught four passes for 74 yards and three touchdowns.

Other major games included nine catches, 67 yards and a touchdown against S Pius X, five catches for 72 yards against Kelly Catholic (Beaumont, Texas) and six catches for 83 yards against Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas).

Saunders joins a Bahamian connection that has existed at FSU for quite some time now.

Other notebale Bahamians to play in the FSU programme included Devard and the late Devaughn Darling, Kamari Charlton, and most recently Myron Rolle.