Khalen Saunders Explained

Khalen Saunders
Current Team:New Orleans Saints
Number:50
Position:Defensive tackle, Fullback
Birth Date:9 August 1996
Birth Place:St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:319
High School:Parkway Central
(Chesterfield, Missouri)
College:Western Illinois (2014–2018)
Draftyear:2019
Draftround:3
Draftpick:84
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:138
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:4.5
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statvalue5:3
Pfr:SaunKh00

Khalen Saunders (born August 9, 1996) is an American football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Illinois.

College career

After playing high school football as a running back and a defensive lineman at Parkway Central High School, Saunders received only one Division I scholarship offer, from Western Illinois.[1]

During his career at Western Illinois, Saunders mainly played defensive line but also sporadically continued his career on the offensive side of the ball, recording a rushing and a receiving touchdown in his career. After his senior season, he became the first Leatherneck ever invited to the Senior Bowl,[2] and while playing in the contest, recorded the game's first sack on Will Grier, earning accolades from Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden.[3] Saunders also picked up exposure over the offseason by having a video of him backflipping featured on prominent draft analyst Adam Schefter's Twitter account; the tweet amassed over 7,000 likes.[4]

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

Saunders was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round with the 84th overall pick the 2019 NFL draft.[5] Saunders won Super Bowl LIV when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20.[6]

Saunders was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2020 after suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 1.[7] He was activated on October 24.[8]

On November 30, 2021, Saunders was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on January 24, 2022.

In 2022, Saunders helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles 38–35 with Saunders recording two tackles and a sack in the game.[9]

New Orleans Saints

On March 17, 2023, Saunders signed a three-year, $14.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.[10]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2019KC124221391.001000.00000
2020KC313300.000000.00000
2021KC708260.000000.00000
2022KC1604822263.531000.00000
2023NO15155022280.011000.00000
Career532013162694.543000.00000

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2019KC303210.000000.00000
2022KC305411.010000.00000
Career608621.010000.00000

Personal life

He and his wife Ayanna Saunders had a daughter who was born while he was at the 2019 Senior Bowl.

Saunders has a brother, Kameron, a professional dancer and choreographer.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rittenberg . Adam . April 20, 2019 . Backflips, basketball and a baby: The legend of Khalen Saunders . April 27, 2019 . ESPN.
  2. Web site: January 21, 2019 . Saunders Represents Leathernecks as First-Ever Reese's Senior Bowl Invitee . April 27, 2019 . Western Illinois Leathernecks.
  3. Web site: Marino . Joe . February 15, 2019 . Khalen Saunders Does Rare Things . April 27, 2019 . The Draft Network.
  4. Web site: Epstein . Jory . January 22, 2019 . Viral, backflipping DT Khalen Saunders explains why he stayed at Senior Bowl as fiancée went into labor . April 27, 2019 . USA Today.
  5. Web site: Swanson . Kent . Sweeney . Pete . April 26, 2019 . NFL Draft results: Chiefs select Western Illinois DT Khalen Saunders at No. 84 . March 21, 2021 . Arrowhead Pride.
  6. Web site: Super Bowl LIV – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 2nd, 2020 . March 21, 2021 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  7. Web site: Goldman . Charles . September 19, 2020 . Chiefs place DT Khalen Saunders on IR, elevate practice squad DT Braxton Hoyett . March 21, 2021 . Chiefs Wire . USA Today.
  8. Web site: Goldman . Charles . October 24, 2020 . Chiefs make two roster moves on Saturday . March 21, 2021 . Chiefs Wire . USA Today.
  9. Web site: Super Bowl LVII - Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 12th, 2023 . 2023-02-19 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  10. Web site: March 17, 2023 . New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive tackle Khalen Saunders . 2023-03-24 . NewOrleansSaints.com.
  11. News: 'You are amazing!' Taylor Swift backup dancer has ties to Kansas City Chiefs and UMKC . Gutierrez . Lisa . The Kansas City Star . July 8, 2023 . October 30, 2023.