According to a report from Cleveland.com’s Nathan Baird, former Ohio State received C.J. Saunders is joining the Aviators of the Spring League, a developmental league that has gained traction quickly over the last year or so.
Many felt that Saunders would be granted a sixth year of eligibility last season because of a significant injury he had to work through in 2019, but it was not to be. As a result, the former blue-collar receiver spent last season as a graduate assistant, biding his time until his opportunity arrived.
There was a thought in some circles that he would at least get a tryout with an NFL team through the draft process, but that did not come to fruition either. So, Saunders has decided to take his talents to a place where he can try and show others what he can do.
The Aviators are a part of the North Division and based in Indianapolis. They play their games at Lucas Oil Stadium and are broadcast on the FOX family of networks. The other South Division teams are based out of Houston.
After a career as an Ohio State receiver and one season as a grad assistant, C.J. Saunders is getting a foot in the door for pro football. https://t.co/F3Lh07EjLg
— Nathan Baird (@nwbaird) May 10, 2021
Saunders’ story was an intriguing one at Ohio State. He walked on as a defensive back in 2015, but eventually moved to the other side of the ball, earning a scholarship later and even being named a captain in 2020.
You can follow him and another former Buckeye, Malcolm Pridgeon, as they try and impress anyone watching. The season already kicked off last week with the regular season going through June 12. The championship game is set to be played a week later on June 19.