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George Hartmann

Saunders Represents Leathernecks as First-Ever Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee

No. 99 will suit up in his regular uniform number this Saturday in the Reese’s Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. – Khalen Saunders will represent the Western Illinois football program as the first Leatherneck to receive an invite to the prestigious Reese's Senior Bowl, a collegiate all-star game featuring the country's top National Football League draft picks.  

The roster, announced earlier this month, will pit the North against the South, under the direction of NFL coaches John Gruden (Oakland Raiders) and Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers), respectively. Saunders will be suiting up for the North alongside talent from the SEC, Big 12, ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12. 

A St. Louis native, Saunders arrived in Macomb in 2014 and immediately made his impact. He's coming off of a 2018 slate where he was named an Associated Press All-American, STATS FCS First Team All-American, and First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. The four-year starter finished the 2018 season third on the team in tackles with 72 while adding 13.0 TFLs, which ranked fifth in the MVFC. 

Saunders placed second on the team and sixth in the Valley in sacks (6.5) while tying as Western's leader in quarterback hurries (5). He finished his Leatherneck career ranked sixth all-time with 18 sacks. 

Reese's Senior Bowl week begins Monday, Jan. 21, in Mobile, Ala., and culminates with the 70th annual game on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. on the NFL Network. 

Practices are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday live on NFL Network and ESPNU. They are free and open to the public.

Nearly every season, at least 30 percent of the league is comprised of players whose road to the NFL started in Mobile. A few Senior Bowlers currently in the NFL include: Dak Prescott (2016), Carson Wentz (2016), Richard Sherman (2011), Clay Matthews (2009), Von Miller (2011) and Russell Wilson (2012). 
 
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