The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Florida State Seminoles’ passing offence struggled mightily last weekend, and to help jumpstart the ACC powerhouse’s game through the air, the coaching staff may turn to greater involvement from Bahamian redshirt freshman Mavin Saunders.

After minimal playing time through the first two games where he totalled just one catch for five yards and two drops, Saunders worked closely with the wide receivers in practice this week.

He also spent additional time working with the quarterbacks and impressed in pass catching drills as the remainder of the team worked on special teams toward the end of the practice session.

One of Saunders’ two drops came in Saturday’s 34-14 win over USF when the 6’5”, 258-pound tight end rose above a pair of defenders but was unable to come down with the catch and the score.

Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher said the play was indicative of the type of plays he expects Saunders to make more often as he sees increased time on the field.

“I think, in another two, three weeks, he’ll make that catch. I really do,” Fisher said in an interview with Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.

“I thought that ball was really well thrown where we could get it. No one could get it. It was in the corner. That was another maturity play of him in the second half. I think Mavin will make that catch in the future.”

Fisher called the play Saunders’ near catch against USF this past Saturday was a reminder of his untapped potential.

A former basketball recruit, Saunders has a limited background in football but flashed a ton of promise this offseason.

“I think it was a tough catch, but I think as he grows and gets to play more and gets confident, he’ll make that catch,” he said.

“I’ve seen him make it a ton of times in practice. It’s all part of maturity. Just got to be patient. It’s going to happen.”

Saunders’ lone catch of the season came in the opener, however the top tight end on the depth chart, Ryan Izzo, has just two catches for 21 yards.

Izzo experienced a knee injury in Satuday’s game against USF and was down on the field for quite sometime before leaving under his own power.

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 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.

The Seminoles are scheduled to travel to face the Boston College Eagles 8pm September 18, broadcast live on ESPN.