Penn State WR updates health status after season-long injury battle

The Penn State football receiving corps was much maligned in 2024. Absent from that conversation was Kaden Saunders, who spent much of his redshirt sophomore season watching the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff run from the sidelines.

“His injuries kind of dragged on for a while,” James Franklin said of Saunders in November. Battling injuries coming out of fall camp, the Columbus, Ohio, native appeared in the Nittany Lions’ first four games before missing the remainder of the year.

But with spring practice roughly a month away, Saunders is optimistic for what is to come in 2025. Speaking with reporters at the program’s annual THON Explorers Event on Saturday, Saunders noted that he “feels good” this winter.

“Our room is gonna be solid,” he said of the Penn State receivers. “I don’t want people to worry about it… It’s gonna be good.”

© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Penn State receivers caught 102 passes for 1,640 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall, less than half of the team’s production in all three categories. Only three of the six Nittany Lion receivers who caught passes in 2024 remain on the roster. The trio – Liam Clifford, Tyseer Denmark, and Anthony Ivey – combined for less than 10% of the Nittany Lions’ total passing production in 2024.

Saunders has yet to break 100 yards in his Penn State football career, totaling eight receptions for 77 yards and a score in three seasons. He has been a reliable punt returner for the Nittany Lions during his time in Happy Valley.

“Just an experienced guy as a receiver and as a punt returner. He’s done some pretty good things,” Franklin said. “Would give us another guy to kind of rotate in and consider.”

Penn State football also added Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross from the transfer portal. Hudson put up nearly 500 yards for USC last season, while Ross eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark at Troy.

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