The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH less than a month before the NCAA football season kicks off, Bahamian rising star on the gridiron Mavin Saunders has impressed early in few practices of fall training camp.

When Florida State Seminoles released their first depth chart for the upcoming season, Saunders was not listed as the starter but head coach Jimbo Fisher remains excited about his potential.

“I told Mavin, there were a couple of things at the beginning of the day, I was going to send him on waivers. At the end of the day I was going to put him in the Pro Bowl. That’s young guys, you got to get consistency and very pleased with that,” Fisher told the Palm Beach Post. “Mavin is a perfectionist,” Fisher said.

“Some people who are a perfectionist have a harder time early than guys that aren’t. When you’re a perfectionist it bothers you. Then you get down on yourself. Don’t go in a shell for five minutes before you come back out. When he comes back out, he’s everything.”

FSU published its media guide last month and in a battle of redshirt freshmen, Saunders was listed as second on the depth chart behind Ryan Izzo.

Perhaps the biggest shock on the depth chart was Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson listed as the third quarterback behind incumbent starter Sean Maguire and JJ Cosentino.

Saunders was pegged as one of the leading candidates to become a major contributor at tight end with the departure of senior standout Nick O’Leary.

The 6’6”, 258-pound Bimini native was a standout this spring as the Seminoles wrapped up spring practice with the 2015 Garnet and Gold Game. He  finished with six receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Saunders appeared in just one game last season, an October contest against Wake Forest, before he earned a medical redshirt. He is one of three tight ends on the roster along with fellow redshirt freshman Ryan Izzo and redshirt sophomore Jeremy Kerr.

Saunders was slowed by an injured hamstring throughout training camp in 2014, but was named to the scout team early in the year and spent much of his time on the field working with the second team offence.

Speaking with The Tribune last season, he expressed optimism at his adjustment to the collegiate game.

“I’m improving on everything everyday and that’s what matters is to stay healthy and continue to get better,” he said. “I’m being patient and continuing to work.”

Saunders committed to Florida State during his junior season with the Kinkaid Falcons in Houston, Texans.

He chose the Seminoles over Arkansas, Houston, Illinois, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Utah.