Tristan Saunders Tristan Saunders 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB CH Flowers | 2026 State MD is a linebacker and safety prospect who shows outstanding play recognition, range, and closing speed. His film highlights his ability to read quarterbacks and anticipate routes in zone coverage. On multiple occasions, he drops back into his zone, diagnoses route concepts, and undercuts passes for interceptions. One of the plays includes a 60–70-yard pick-six.

As a blitzer, Saunders showcases great timing and acceleration through the A-gap. His timing is so good that he is virtually untouched when he’s making the tackle on his highlights. Saunders’ run fits are sharp, and he plays downhill with urgency, finishing plays with solid form and quick pursuit angles.

Tristan Saunders Tristan Saunders 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB CH Flowers | 2026 State MD : Lengthy Outside Linebacker with Coverage Upside and Range

Tristan Saunders Tristan Saunders 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB CH Flowers | 2026 State MD is a long, athletic outside linebacker with the tools to lock down his side of the field. With a rangy frame and fluid movement skills, Saunders excels in space, whether dropping into coverage, setting the edge, or making tackles in the open field.

He stands out particularly in pass defense, where his instincts and ball skills allow him to make plays on the football. His tape shows multiple pass breakups and an interception, underscoring his ability to read quarterbacks and close passing lanes. He’s also a reliable tackler in space, consistently making plays outside the hashes and limiting yards after contact.

Though he currently holds five Division I offers, Saunders is widely viewed as a high-upside prospect with untapped potential. With a strong offseason and a fast start to his senior year, expect more programs to recognize his versatility and coverage value at the linebacker position.

Saunders may not have the traditional build of a college linebacker, but his skill set suggests he could be a natural fit as a strong safety at the next level. The highlights of him that I watched show his biggest strengths: his coverage skills and versatility. Saunders seems to have a natural feel for reading quarterbacks, which allows him to make plays on the ball and disrupt passing lanes. His football IQ is high when it comes to pass coverage.

Against the run, Saunders shows that he can be physical and is a sure tackler. He plays bigger than his frame and often recognizes the run early. Saunders may not overpower offensive linemen, but he counters with good technique and quickness. He doesn’t shy away from contact and contains the edge when needed.

The biggest question for Saunders is his size and how it will translate at the next level. If he stays as a linebacker, he must keep developing physically. If he goes to safety, he must acclimate to the position full-time. Either way, he’s a solid football player and returns as one of the top linebackers in the state for the 2025 season.

6’0, 192 pounds. Currently ranked the fourth best linebacker in all of Maryland (2026). Huge praise from my colleague and Maryland lead Todd Haldis. Saunders boasts availability at wideout too, not often you see an elite linebacker be more than serviceable as a potential pass-catcher. Looks like that’s the type of athlete we are dealing with here, intrigued to see him work against elite competition.

3.0 GPA. Was hot on the recruiting trail much earlier into his HS career, with his most recent scholarship opportunity coming out of Memphis, announced toward the end of his junior year over at Charles Herbert Flowers.