Jake Saunders, a three-star defensive tackle from Loveland, Oh., has committed to Northwestern. Saunders announced the decision Wednesday on Twitter:
I'm extremely excited and blessed to announce that I have committed to Northwestern to further my academic and athletic career!! #NUSquad16
— Jake Saunders (@MADDAWG_J) June 17, 2015
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound tackle, who also played tight end in high school, is the fourth player in the Class of 2016 to choose Northwestern over Wisconsin. He also picked the Wildcats over offers from Vanderbilt, Illinois, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Maryland, Purdue, Oregon State and others.
Saunders is Northwestern's 13th commit of the 2016 class. He is NU's second defensive tackle, after Alex Miller committed to NU earlier in June. Saunders is the Wildcats' third defensive lineman, with defensive end Tommy Carnifax also committing earlier this month.
Saunders's 247 Composite score of .8517 ranks him as the 4th best player in NU's class.
Here are his Hudl highlights: