Former South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley had made 2027 OT Junior Saunders (6-5 280) of Woodberry Forest, VA, one of his targets for the 2027 class. Teasley had Saunders in for a camp and a visit last summer. Teasley, of course, was fired by Shane Beamer in October. However, the pursuit of Saunders by the Gamecocks has not diminished.
“I hear from South Carolina like almost every day,” Saunders said. “I still love the program, even though it was kind of sad Coach Teasley left. I still hear from them, and they are very consistent in my recruiting. I’m hearing from Coach (Serbay) and the whole offensive room, basically. They tell me that they are just trying to get me down there and get me to see more of the campus and come to a game. It would be my first experience.”
The only school Saunders has visited for games this season is Virginia. He went there once on a recruiting visit and once with his family. He doesn’t have plans for any other visits this season.
Saunders said Clemson has been in contact via mail and text messages. He visited there for a spring practice last spring. He’s also hearing from Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Michigan, NC State, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Ohio State.
Despite the losing season and the change with the offensive line coach, Saunders is keeping the Gamecocks on his board.
“I’m still very interested in the school,” Saunders said. “I was sad that Coach Teasley left, but the connection that I still feel for the school hasn’t changed. They’re still coming after me pretty heavy.”