Treyvhon Saunders has become the face of Colgate University football. The senior wide receiver not only leads the Patriot League in receptions with 49 and receiving yards with 682 (as of Oct. 5), but also holds program records for both career and single-season receptions.
For Saunders, these impressive numbers are the product of preparation, trust and persistence.
“There is a combination of factors that contributes to my success,” Saunders said. “Coach [Fitzpatrick] and Coach [Gerbino] have done a wonderful job getting me prepared for the games and trusting in me to call my number. My quarterbacks have done a great job with taking the right reads and trusting in my ability to win the matchups. The receivers are great at winning their matchups too to allow the chains to keep moving. Lastly, my hard work and dedication has led to my success this season.”
Saunders described breaking Colgate’s receiving records as an incredible milestone, though he emphasized that his goals extend far further.
“It feels amazing to hold the program record, but I know there is more out there for me to achieve,” he said. “I want to leave a legacy that everyone will remember.”
That pursuit could have taken him elsewhere. Saunders entered the transfer portal, where his resume made him the type of player coveted by some of the country’s top programs. Like thousands of other college athletes, he had the option to leave for a bigger stage. Instead, he returned to Hamilton to finish what he started.
Since his first year, Saunders has grown into a team leader as well as a record-setter. Now a two-time captain, he said his confidence and presence on the field have evolved along with his role.
“I’ve become more confident in the way I lead the team and my demeanor and attitude when I touch the field,” he said.
The senior’s impact is not limited to the field. As an economics major, Saunders has completed coursework in econometrics and industrial organization and earned a 3.75 grade point average last semester. He was recently named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy — the premier scholar-athlete award in college football. As one of only 178 semifinalists, Saunders is in the running to be recognized for his academic success, on-field performance and leadership.
Community service has been another defining characteristic of Saunders’ time at Colgate: he has participated in volunteer work from reading to and playing kickball with local schoolchildren to participating in Earth Day cleanups. On campus, Saunders has been active in the Raiders of Color Connect program, an organization dedicated to building connections among black and indigenous people of color student-athletes.
Colgate Head Coach Curt Fitzpatrick said Saunders models what it means to wear maroon and white.
“Treyvhon is a true steward of Colgate and embodies what it means to be a scholar-athlete, both on and off the field,” Fitzpatrick said. “He is a true competitor with a strong desire to win on the field, and he has the same drive to be a great representative of Colgate football in the classroom and community.”
Despite the accolades, Saunders said what matters most are the relationships he has built with teammates and coaches alike.
“The most meaningful moment as a Raider is honestly all the memories I have with the guys on this team,” Saunders said. “There is a strong brotherhood and culture that makes every day special.”
His ambitions, however, extend beyond his time at Colgate.
“God willing, the NFL is next for me after Colgate,” Saunders said. “It’s been a dream since I was a little kid, and I hope to make that younger self in me proud.”
As scouts begin to take notice, Saunders has the credentials that translate: elite production, consistency and the work ethic to match. With so much already accomplished, Saunders has shown that his best chapters may still be ahead.
