BIOGRAPHY
Khalen Saunders was born on August 9th, 1996, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a defensive tackle in the National Football League.
Saunders attended Parkway Central High School where he lettered in football, wrestling, and track/field. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors as a defensive tackle and as an offensive athlete. His team placed second in the state during the 2013 football season and he was a runner-up following his junior year in the state track meet in the shot put.
After finishing high school, Saunders committed to the University of Western Illinois to play college football. As a redshirted freshman in 2015, he played in all 13 games and made 27 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks and recovered a fumble. In his debut, he recorded two solo tackles against Eastern Illinois and against North Dakota State, he recorded four tackles matching his season-high. As a redshirted sophomore, he was an Honorable Mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. He started in all 11 games where he recorded 48 tackles, 5.0 for a loss and made two pass break-ups and blocked a kick. Saunders made his first collegiate start at Eastern Illinois, finished with four tackles to match his career-high. As a junior, he was named Honorable Mention Preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and was named to the Phil Steele All-American List, and First Team All MVFC.
After graduating from college, Saunders entered the 2019 NFL Draft where he was selected in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Saunders joined the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
