Top 12 standouts from Senior Bowl '19

#9 Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois

This kid became an internet sensation with his crazy backflips before he even arrived in Mobile. So Saunders wanted to show his athleticism on the field, but what impressed me even more was that power in his lower body, which was apparent time and time again when he drove opponents backwards as a bull-rusher.

To complement that brute force he has a feel for how offensive linemen are leaning and the ability to take advantage of them when they are lunging into him to withstand the rush. I saw him engage and then quick-swim or push-an-pull on several occasions in one-on-ones at practice and on Saturday in the actual game.

For anybody who hasn’t followed his story – Saunders’ wife gave birth a little prematurely as he was at their first practice, but she asked him to stay in Mobile and take advantage of this opportunity to impress scouts. When he found out that this baby daughter was up and well, he ended the session with another little flip to celebrate. Saunders would go on to finish an already successful week with an early sack and another pressure in the game.