Ohio State Football: Kai Saunders commits prior to Spring Game

Kai Saunders, the younger brother of Buckeyes running back Cayden Saunders, committed to the Ohio State football program as a preferred walk-on a week ago. The 6’4 wide receiver and tight end prospect got a chance to visit campus in late March before making the decision to follow in the footsteps of his older brother and their father Cedric Saunders, who played at Ohio State from 1990 to1993 and earned All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1993.

“There was a lot that went into my decision to commit to Ohio State. I received preferred walk-on opportunities from Ohio State and Cincinnati so I was able to narrow it down to those two schools,” Saunders told me in a recent interview. “Two weeks ago I got the opportunity to visit Ohio State and see what their practices and facilities were like. Then I received the Morrill Prominence Scholarship.”

He announced the commitment on Thursday, April 7.

“My trips down to Ohio State last year helped influence my decision this year. Each time we drove down for a game, the environment was always amazing and I enjoyed every game that we went to,” Saunders explained following his commitment. “I always talked with Cayden about the recruiting process and knowing that I would be at the same school as him helped play a role in my decision.”

Prior to this past season, Saunders participated in a camp at the Ohio State football facility and got a taste of what it would be like to play for the Buckeyes. He went on to total 36 receptions for 477 yards and seven touchdowns and was named All-Kensington Lakes Activities Association for a second consecutive year. After a successful senior season at Northville High School, Saunders will join a familiar program with a chance to leave an imprint alongside his brother.

“As an incoming freshman, my goal is to learn as much as I can from the more experienced players. The more I learn from them, the better it will set me up for the following years,” Saunders said. “I will be at the spring game this upcoming weekend and I expect to get to campus the first week of June. As of now, I see myself playing wide receiver at the next level.”

The Buckeyes’ spring game kicks off Saturday at noon.