Solid height with a very good frame with room to add functional mass to keep his athleticism. Very good athletic ability for his size with elite foot quickness, lateral movement, very good acceleration, flexibility, explosiveness, and good balance. Plays with elite upper and lower body strength that allows him to win his reps. Elite run blocking due to very good pad level and explosiveness coming off the ball using his elite lateral movement to quickly engage the block with good initial hand placement and block fit, and using his elite strength to turn and drive the defender out of the gap. Elite blocking in space on Zone and on the second level, using good processing, angles, and athleticism to position himself and remove defenders from the play. Very good pull blocker with the athleticism to block on the move to kick defenders out or lead block through the hole to the second level. Very good pass protection, with good set points and very good hand quickness in his punch. Elite mirror in pass pro due to his foot quickness, lateral movement, and strength. Very good anchor to drop his hips and halt the bull rush. Room to develop his balance and footwork at the point of attack that will allow him to play with better body control. Overall, an elite prospect who can play Offensive Tackle at the Power-4 level and has the combination of size, strength, athleticism, and flexibility needed to succeed at the position. Currently holds multiple Power-4 offers.

Hudl / X

DL/OL. 6’5, 290 pounds, boasts a 7’2 wingspan.

If I were a betting man, I’d say with close certainty that Rashad “Junior” Saunders will likely be the future top-ranked Virginia 2027 prospect. The sole reason we ranked Rainer and Lewis over Saunders this past update was because of the lack of offensive tackle reps provided. Not to the fault of Saunders at all. Speaking of Saunders’ freshman tape, I can’t help but be enamored with his future projection to offensive tackle. The seven-foot wingspan, 6’5, and a 290-pound frame built on broad shoulders, you can’t help but see a Power Four tackle in Saunders. This especially true after seeing some promising reps on tape. Yes, the majority of Saunders’ tape has him stationed at DE/IDL, where he is overtly dominant. I’m sure there are many college coaches scouting his game that actually like Saunders at IDL/DE, he’s a natural interior disruptor who doesn’t do much thinking on the fly. Awesome upper body strength, can lock out his arms on matchups stationed on either side of the ball. Can win off torque and power alone, will likely follow the footsteps of Darius Gray Darius Gray 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL St. Christopher's | 2026 State VA and Jaylen Gilchrist Jaylen Gilchrist 6'6" | 320 lbs | OL Salem | 2025 State VA . Saunders already has quite the list forming in his favor, the likes of Tennessee, Maryland, N.C. State, VA Tech, and Penn State have already reached out to the Woodberry Forest lineman in the form of scholarship offers.

If you are not buying stock on Woodberry Forest this fall you are going to be left behind and our number 3rd ranked prospect Rashad “Jr” Saunders Rashad “Jr” Saunders 6'5" | 280 lbs | OL/DL Woodberry Forest | 2027 State VA . A big offensive tackle at 6’5 and just north of 300 lbs. Saunders will be protecting Jaheim Jackson’s blindside for the next couple of seasons quite nicely.

To be honest I think he would benefit more playing defensive tackle at the FBS level but it’s hard to ignore his run blocking the young man is a bull. Very technically sound when he gets his hands under you along the offensive line their is a good chance you’re seeing a pancake block.

When we redo our rankings after the season, Saunders will have more 20 offers.