The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Mavin Saunders will have an opportunity to play football at the professional level with a club in Spain.

Saunders is the newest transfer for the Las Rozas Black Demons of the LNFA Serie A, the second-tier division of American football, based in Las Rozas, Spain.

“Undoubtedly, a player who will help the passing attack and will raise the level of training for the next matches. ⁣Welcome home Mavin, welcome to Black Demons.”

The 6’6”, 258-pound tight end attended 2019 rookie mini-camp tryout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans.

Saunders’ preparation for the 2019 NFL Draft took him across the United States to bowl games and showcases as he looked to increase his stock at the professional level.

Saunders participated in the College Gridiron Showcase Symposium and the SPIRAL Tropical Bowl.

Following his sessions at both events, he interviewed with the Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers.

During his lone season for the Kansas Jayhawks, Saunders played in nine games, and caught four receptions for 32 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown.

Saunders spent his first four seasons at Florida State before graduating and transferring to Kansas. He was ranked the third best transfer tight end by College Football Focus.

Prior to his final collegiate season, Saunders was named to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award - doled out to the top tight end in all of collegiate football.

Over the course of his career he finished with 20 receptions for 266 yards and one touchdown.

Saunders caught the first touchdown reception of his NCAA career in the Jayhawks’ 38-22 loss to then No.8/9 West Virginia in October, 2018.

Saunders did not record a reception in his last season and his Seminole stats for his career included 16 receptions for 234 yards.

In his sophomore season he had 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.