Any takers for Jalen Saunders?

Two years ago, Jalen Saunders was donning a Fresno State Bulldogs jersey. He was a diamond in the rough that transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his last two years of college, and turned out to be a remarkable football player for the Crimson and Cream.

Ask anyone in Norman and they could go on and on about how much they love Jalen. However, the love is not mutual with NFL scouts.

Some would say good things come in small packages, and this could be true with Saunders standing just a tad under 5-9 and weighing around 165 pounds.

November 17, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; Oklahoma Sooners receiver Jalen Saunders (18) runs after a pass reception against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

But he is not the prototypical NFL player, though, his skill set is definitely worth the risk.

After Ryan Broyles left OU, Sooner fans did not know how the team would duplicate his on-the-field performance.

Enter Jalen Saunders.

It did not take long for him to win over the hearts of the OU faithful.

He’s a quick wideout, and while he’s not a Dez Bryant-type receiver with monster hands, he has the ability to make plays in space.

Saunders was a favorite target for the Oklahoma quarterbacks, and he rarely let them down.

Coming off the line of scrimmage, Saunders finds the open room using some shifty moves and setting himself up for high percentage receptions.

While the NFL defensive backs are more polished defenders, Saunders is a smart wideout who has a playmaking ability that should be coveted at the next level.

Whether he can adjust to the speed and size, however, is a different question.

Wearing no. 18 for Oklahoma, he was a difference maker on special teams. He possesses great field vision and awareness giving him an upper-hand in the punt return game.

From time to time, all it took was Saunders to get free for one big return and the Oklahoma side truly got going.

He brought a lot of energy and confidence in his abilities, which could bode well for him in the professional ranks.

The problem is who is going to take a chance on him?

Ryan Broyles had the benefit of playing with Sam Bradford and Landry Jones. Broyles is bigger than Saunders by a few inches and weighs 20 more pounds. Also, the passing game was more prominent during Broyles’ tenure.

Broyles was taken in the second round to the Detroit Lions, but for Saunders, he might not even be drafted.

If a team is going to take a shot on him, it will more than likely be a late, late round pick.

A big possibility is a team with a need for a wide receiver is going to see Jalen still on the board and scoop him up.

To go back to 2004, Wes Welker was undrafted out of Texas Tech. He is the same height and position, but has about 20 pounds on Saunders.

Welker turned out to be a five-time Pro Bowl selection, aided three New England Patriots AFC Championship teams, and will play in this year’s Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

Not to say Saunders is on Welker’s level, but the way Saunders blossomed the past two years, who’s to say with the right coaching he couldn’t get there one day?

Saunders has always been about proving people wrong. He was a three-star receiver out of Pleasant Grove High School (Elk Grove, Calif.), and only had a handful of local offers.

Coming to Oklahoma definitely helped him get more exposure, and maybe he can turn some heads at the Senior Bowl Saturday.

All it takes is a breakout game in front of the right people, and Saunders could hear his name called during this year’s NFL Draft Weekend.

With his talent, Saunders could fit right in with an organization on Sundays. Hopefully, no. 18 gets his opportunity and another fanbase can reap the benefits of having him on their sideline.