Run it Back | Ole Miss senior DB John Saunders Jr. announces his return for final year of eligibility

OXFORD, Miss. — On Sunday, Ole Miss received more good news about a key player returning as senior defensive back John Saunders Jr. will be back for the 2024 season per the Grove Collective.

Let’s run it 🔙 !!! @john5aunders is staying in the SIP 🔴🗣️🔵 pic.twitter.com/aKxJ4tRoKz

— The Grove Collective (@grovecollectnil) January 14, 2024

Saunders started all 13 games for the Rebels in 2023.

The transfer from Miami (OH) spent his first three seasons with the RedHawks before arriving in Oxford before the 2023 season. 

In his first year under defensive coordinator Pete Golding, Saunders finished No. 3 on the team with 65 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, and five passes defended.

Throughout his four collegiate seasons, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Saunders has tallied a total of 132 tackles, three TFLs, eight interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and one touchdown. While he was mostly at cornerback at Miami (OH), Saunders played safety for Coach Golding and Ole Miss.

This past season, Saunders was honored with SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after the Rebels’ victory over A&M.

MORE OF THIS IN 2024 @john5aunders 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/2ZpJHgXOau

— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) January 14, 2024

His best performance came against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 6, when he racked up six tackles, one TFL, one interception, and one pass breakup.

In the secondary, Saunders will be joined in 2024 by Trey Washington, Chris Graves, and recent transfer portal additions Tahveon Nicholson (Illinois), Louis Moore (Indiana), and Key Lawrence (Oklahoma).

Other players joining Saunders for a return season also include senior defensive linemen JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey.

Hotty Toddy!