John Saunders Jr. says late part of Ole Miss fall camp is ‘clean-up time’
John Saunders Jr came to Ole Miss from Miami (Ohio) as a cornerback.
But as soon as new Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding evaluated Saunders’ size, athleticism, physicality and speed in spring training, he switched him to the safety position normally closest to the line of scrimmage.
Golding believes Saunders, at 6-2 200, can be a big help in run support and he is athletic enough to cover slot receivers.
This fall, Saunders and five other safeties, primarily, have been battling it out for playing time. There’s John, fellow transfers DaiJahn Anthony from Liberty and Teja Young from FAU, and returning Rebels Isheem Young, Trey Washington and Taylor Groves.
All have had a shot at one of the three safety slots with Saunders right in the mix, assuring himself of, at the very least, a lot of playing time and very likely a starting position.
“We have been learning so much, putting in schemes every day. We are very versatile and I think it’s going great,” Saunders said last week. “It’s a simple defense that gets guys in position to play all over the field and make plays. I’m grateful to be in this defense.
“The defense is doing good, but we are still cleaning up some things. We need to have some days with no MAs (missed assignments). We are trying to eliminate mental errors.”
Saunders didn’t shy away from saying what will take place if all Rebels do as they’re supposed to do.
“If we all do our jobs, we will be a defensive force to be reckoned with,” John added. “Our chemistry is going great. As much as we are rotating, it’s going amazing. We are meshing very well – amazingly well. Like I said, if we can eliminate mental errors, watch out.”
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The transition from corner to safety has gone well for Saunders, better than even he anticipated.
“It’s been great, man. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” Saunders said. “You just have to hit the playbook hard and understand the plays and the rotations on motion and things like that. I think I have caught on pretty well and I like the position.
“The biggest thing is learning what the guys around you are supposed to do. Now that I know those things, I can play faster. Knowing everyone’s assignment makes everything easier.”
Saunders said the defensive players have set some lofty goals for the unit and they aren’t backing away from those goals.
“We want to be top five in every defensive category in the nation,” Saunders said. “We have enough players to do it and depth at every position. Just have to execute our plays and that’s what we intend to do. Every week. All the time.”
John Saunders, Jr is confident the Ole Miss defense is going to be potent – from the scheme to the depth to the attention to detail to the desire.
And he’s determined to be in the middle of it all at his new favorite position, safety.
