WINNIPEG, MB.,– The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced that the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with American player Jalen Saunders.
Saunders is a five-foot-nine, 170lbs wide receiver out of the University of Oklahoma. As a Sooner, he started 30 of the 48 games played, where he had 3,085 receiving yards on 203 receptions scoring 26 touchdowns.
Saunders previous destination was with the Ottawa Blackhawks in 2020-2021. The 2020 season was cut short due to the Pandemic and the 20211 Season due to a car accident.
Sauders started his pro career when he was drafted by New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He would only be a part of the team for a couple of months before being released. After that, he was a part of the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and the Chicago Bears before turning to the CFL.
During his NFL Career, He appeared in 15 games on special teams returning kicks and punts. Saunders has 15 punt returns for 125 return yards and three kick returns for 139 yards.
In April 2017, Saunders participated in The Spring League, a startup developmental league that operates as a showcase for NFL and CFL scouts. Saunders would sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Despite being released after the preseason, Saunders was assigned to the Hamilton practice roster. After two weeks, Saunders was promoted to the active roster
During his CFL debut on July 8, Saunders recorded 6 catches for 78 yards, making him the most productive receiver for the Ticats. Saunder’s elite level of play would go on to lead the Ticats in receiving yards during the 2017 season. He finished the season with 1,170 yards on 76 catches. In 25 games over two seasons with Hamilton (2017-2018), he accumulated 121 receptions for 1,909 yards and six touchdowns, 15.8 yards per grab.
