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Texas A&M Football

Texas A&M adds former Cal Poly DB Donovan Saunders via transfer portal

January 5, 2024
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Mike Elko’s portal push continues today with the addition of DB Donovan Saunders, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound cornerback who applied his trade the last two seasons for the Cal Poly Mustangs.

http://instagr.am/p/C1uSO02OMpK

Shortly after electing to continue his college career elsewhere, Saunders committed to TCU on Dec. 18. He also heard overtures from Washington and Utah during that time.

The San Diego, California native attended Central Catholic HS during his prep days, where he was also a standout in track and field. Overall, he becomes A&M’s 10th transfer addition this offseason.

After only recording six tackles and one interception in his freshman season of 2022, Saunders turned his game up a notch this past fall. As a sophomore, he managed 18 tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defended.

More to come soon on this latest portal addition for our TexAgs Premium subscribers.

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Texas A&M adds former Cal Poly DB Donovan Saunders via transfer portal

15,047 Views | 28 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by oldarmy1
Dale Gribble
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9:17a, 1/5/24
Huge! Now go get another couple corners!
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SquareOne07
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9:17a, 1/5/24
AG
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…

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Bill Superman
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9:17a, 1/5/24
AG
Elko can't be stopped. This man is on fire.

Great addition to our backfield.
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Dale Gribble
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 9:19a, 1/5/24
SquareOne07 said:
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…



Would you rather have a player that stood out at a small school or washed out at a big school?

Half our transfers so far are from P5 schools anyways.
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Randy Rhodes
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 9:21a, 1/5/24
There's a lot of small school guys in the NFL. You can pluck the small school guys who have NFL potential
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SquareOne07
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In reply to Randy Rhodes • 9:23a, 1/5/24
AG
And then there are a lot more big school guys in the NFL.
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Bowlinag
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9:31a, 1/5/24
AG
Depth is important. Developing talent is important. Maybe trust the coaches until they prove otherwise?

We only had 15 recruits (not sure if final numbers). Most schools have 25 or so. That's a lot of space to fill. Especially with the transfers out.
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Bill Superman
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 9:38a, 1/5/24
AG
SquareOne07 said:
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…

Give me the seasoned lunch pail work horse that can play immediately over the overranked diva HS kid that needs to RS and will transfer after a year anyways.
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Meximan
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9:45a, 1/5/24
What I'm noticing is that Elko isn't getting guys who tallied like 5 snaps and 1 tackle in 3 years... he's getting guys who started and got significant playing time with stats to back it up. These aren't guys who need to learn how to play, they've been producing and are ready to go now. Some quite literally were leading their conference in the metrics.

These aren't Jimbo Specials, these are real, legit ballers.
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AgOutsideAustin
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In reply to Meximan • 9:56a, 1/5/24
AG
I like how the DB's he's getting all have tackles and interceptions, we need more INT's.
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AgOutsideAustin
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 10:01a, 1/5/24
AG
SquareOne07 said:
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…




Elko specials !
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Redfishag93
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10:04a, 1/5/24
agree with Bill Superman. I'll take the guys with proven production, even at smaller schools, than a highly ranked true freshmen who need time and patience to develop...which most of these guys don't have.

God knows we need DBs after watching the bowl game child abuse.

Elko is kicking ass in the portal unlike Jimbo who refused to adjust to the new and better way of operating.

He also seems to really be targeting taller DBs...all seem to be 6'3". as long as they can move, I guess 6'3" is better than 6'0".
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Aggie1188
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 10:18a, 1/5/24
SquareOne07 said:
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…

9th rated corner in portal. TCU commit with offers from Washington, others too. High coverage grade.

" top-20 reception-allowed percentage nationally at the FCS level, giving up a catch on fewer than 38% of targets, per PFF."
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Aginnebraska
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11:09a, 1/5/24
AG
Historically, our player roster is full of highly recruited guys who face guard a receiver and never turn around to look for the ball. I don't know who this guy is but if he can hang with receivers and turn his head once and a while to look for a ball, I would take that in a heartbeat.
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TAMU74
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11:15a, 1/5/24
AG
Welcome aboard Mr. Saunders.
I don't care if a player come from a small school or a big name school.
If he can play the position that we need then it makes no difference what school he comes from.
Elko knows what he's doing and what he wants on defense.
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The Collective
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11:56a, 1/5/24
AG
IMO, this is going to be the big change in CFB. Smaller schools are essentially a farm system.
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Horse with No Name
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12:29p, 1/5/24
Jahdae Walker was arguably the most impactful transfer we had this season, and he came from DII...
Ridin' 'cross the desert. . .
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Aggie Joe 93
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12:49p, 1/5/24
AG
I like the idea of having taller CBs that can better defend the 'up for grabs' throws.
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redjalapeno-87
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12:56p, 1/5/24
EliteZags
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2:31p, 1/5/24
AG
Can he defend the comeback
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Bobaloo
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2:52p, 1/5/24
A continued emphasis on taller DBs. Excellent news! In terms of this small school talk, every team we've ever played had players who could help us. There are tons of athletes out there. Coaching and effort go a long way. Several of these DBs are 6'2" or taller. That can't be coached. LSU and OSU beat us because our DBs could not defend the high tossup pass.
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bigfoot10s
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3:21p, 1/5/24
AG
I don't care where he is coming from, if he can play, we want him.

Welcome to Aggieland!
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TAMUallen
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4:19p, 1/5/24
AG
Is he really 6'3?
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AginKS
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In reply to SquareOne07 • 6:15p, 1/5/24
SquareOne07 said:
This is cool and all, but doesn't seem to anybody else that we're going out and grabbing guys from these itty bitty schools?

I mean the GA kicker Purdue LB obviously don't apply in this case, but still…


So the interest by schlep schools like TCU, Washington and Utah means.. what?
Seems the me that Elko & Co know what they're doing by getting a young man who had interest by 3 P5 teams; 1 played in last years NCG and the other plays in it on Monday.
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RaggedConverge
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6:44p, 1/5/24
Aggie1188
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In reply to Aggie Joe 93 • 7:01p, 1/5/24
Aggie Joe 93 said:
I like the idea of having taller CBs that can better defend the 'up for grabs' throws.
especially if they're fast-twitch, which he is and I know Elko likes.
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Magpie
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7:38p, 1/5/24
Saunders TRIPLED his output between his first and second seasons, in tackles (from 6 to 18) and interceptions (from 1 to 3). Eleven passes defended as a sophomore. These are explosive numbers. Do they portend further development? He has the physical measurements and a lot of tape to look at.

It seems to me that neither Elko nor the DB coaches would pursue him if they didn't think he could play in the SEC. I think based on his record alone there may be a better than even chance he will help us, now, and maybe a higher probability of a positive hit relative to immediate DB help available from the HS ranks.
You may be through with the past, but the past may not be through with you...
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oldarmy1
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8:54a, 1/6/24
AG
Watch what Moffit does with their body development, and how that translates to explosive play.
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