Chaminade’s Saunders commits to Hawaii

Franklin Saunders, a running back from Chaminade, who suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the season, has made an oral commitment to play at Hawaii.

Saunders began the season as one of the top running backs in the Valley. On his first carry of the Eagles’ fifth game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ending his season. Saunders, who finished with 744 yards in 108 carries, underwent surgery Nov. 23.

“(Hawaii’s) trainer was very impressed with how well it’s come along,” Saunders said. “I don’t have a limp at all. When I’m wearing long pants, people can’t even tell I’ve had surgery and some people who knew I had surgery forget.”

Saunders took a trip to Hawaii last weekend. He said he chose the Rainbows over Washington State and San Jose State because he believed he had the best chance to play right away and he was attracted to that school’s pre-med program.

“Of course the location is beautiful,” he said. “I can’t really explain the feeling I got (during the visit), you just know it’s there.”