High School Sports
Riverside High Tight End Ponders College Future
By
Jan 22, 2007
Riverside High School senior Weslye Saunder's basketball season started fashionably late.
He led his school's football team to the state championship game in early December. Then, he took another week in December to play in the Shrine Bowl, catching a touchdown pass.
But within the past few weeks, Saunders has become a double-figure scorer for the Pirate hoopsters.
"He's just starting to hit his stride, right now. He's really coming up big, but he's a nice luxury to have," says Riverside basketball Coach Tim Ross. "I know when people see him walk in the gym, they know they're in for something."
"I love basketball, and I don't really ever come out here with any pressure on me to do anything," Saunders said. "(I) just come out here and have a good time."
The 6-foot 5-inch, 269 pound tight end says he would love to help the team go deep into the playoffs.
In the meantime, the game provides a diversion of the serious business of football recruiting.
"I've pretty much narrowed it down to North Carolina or South Carolina," Saunders says, adding that the decision has been a difficult one for him.
"I don't think with the schools, you can make a bad choice, but I'm going to think it over some more."
Saunders wants to play tight end in college, but in high school, he showed he could also frustrate offensive linemen and pressure the quarterback.
"My favorite use is putting him back close to the goal line in what we call our jumbo set, and snap the ball to him and watch him give us six points," Riverside football Coach Tommy Blalock says.
But will college football fans see the direct snap to Weslye at the next level?
"I'm not sure about that," he says. "You'll have to ask Coach Butch Davis or Steve Spurrier about that."
Saunders says he won't announce where he's going to Feb. 5
He is going to Carolina, but the question is: "Which one?"
