Would be a massive recruiting win
David Sanders, Jr., the 6-6, 290 offensive tackle that Tennessee not only wants, but needs, set his commitment date for August 17th.
His announcement about his announcement was posted via his Twitter page and also included a group of four finalists — Ohio State, Tennessee, Georgia and Nebraska.
Ohio State got Sanders’ final official visit, which can factor heavily into a prospect’s decision, but he was in Columbus on June 21st, so with the choice coming in August, there’s plenty of time to come down off any “high,” that the visit may have left him with.
Sanders is the No. 1 OT prospect in North Carolina, the No. 1 overall prospect in the state and the No.2-rated player in the country, according to the 247 composite rankings. If Sanders were to choose UT, it would be the second time in three cycles that a top-three-ish nationally-ranked player ended up in Knoxville (Nico in ‘23) and the third-straight season the Vols landed a top-10 prospect (Nico, Jordan Ross last year).
There are probably a litany of factors as to why the coaches feel good about Sanders’ eventual landing spot, but what it really comes down to is that he’s been to Ohio State and Georgia three times each but visited Knoxville more than any other school. I don’t know the exact number of trips he made to town, but, at least, he was in town for the UGA game last season, took at least two, maybe three more unofficial visits in April and May of this year before his official visit in early June. It also doesn’t hurt that the Vols have been recruiting Sanders since he was in 8th grade.
Here’s 247’s Director of Scouting Andrew Irvin’s report on Sanders;
An athletic offensive tackle prospect with an extremely high ceiling given measurables and movement patterns. Over 6-foot-5 and equipped with arms that stretch over 36 inches. On the lighter side now, but has plenty of time to add mass and has already posted impressive markers in the weight room for a youngster as he can power clean 335 pounds. Very nimble for someone with such long limbs as he can quickly set up for battle and then refortify, if needed. Might own a wiry frame now, but has a surprisingly strong punch and understands how to find leverage before unlocking his hips and trying to displace pass rushers with his explosive lower half. Carved out a starting role as a 9th grader before freshman campaign was derailed by a femur injury. However, rebounded in a big way as a sophomore and anchored the left side of the line for a Providence Day program that won its first state title in 10 years. Must keep progressing and continue to fill out, but should be viewed as one of the top corner-protectors in the 2025 cycle. Likely going to need some time to get adjusted to the speed of big-time college football, but has the skill set to emerge as a multi-year starter at left tackle for a contender. Top 32 upside given his reach and testing profile.
The current gem of UT’s 2025 recruiting class, five-star QB George MacIntyre has been consistently peer-recruiting Sanders to Tennessee. Sanders “jokingly,” told On3’s Josh Newberg that MacIntyre and Ohio State’s QB commitment Tavien St.Clair are recruiting him harder to their respective schools than any of the coaches.
The Charlotte native would give the Vols’ their fourth OL commitment but the first player who’s a true tackle. As things currently stand, the idea is that four-star Nic Moore will get a shot at center, while three-star Antoni Kade Ogumoro will play guard and the second-highest rated player in the class so far, four-star Douglas Utu from Bishop Gorman HS will also play guard.
Though measuring in at 6-4, 317 and listed as a tackle on 247, there’s a chance he could play some right tackle depending on how his body adjusts once he’s on campus. Tennessee makes position versatility a priority, so the interior guys will likely practice at all three spots in the middle and the tackles will likely practice some on the inside, too.
I’m sure the Vols would love to land one more tackle prospect, if its a player that’s high on the staff’s board, as the depth on the OL is still young and unproven, and multiple starters this season will be gone next year (I think we’re done or really close to done with the extra eligibility due to COVID).
Seniors expected to start on the offensive line this year: John Campbell (RT), Javontez Spraggins (G), Cade Mays (C), Jackson Lampley (G).
Lance Heard was a massive portal snag, as it would have likely been Dayne Davis starting at left tackle or Campbell moving from the right side of the line to the left and Davis starting at RT. No offense to Davis — he’ll probably be the sixth OL on the depth chart, as he can play just about anywhere on the line in a pinch and has started a ton of games during his tenure at UT.
Four-star and the 158th player overall in the cycle — Juan Gaston, at 6-7, 345 (I think he’s grown since those measurements were taken, too) is another high-profile tackle Tennessee is after. But he’s from Atlanta, and most think that’s where he’ll end up. He’s got six crystal ball predictions on 247, and they’re all to UGA.
With Sanders being from Charlotte, it puts him about 1.5 hours away from Greensboro, NC, which is where top ‘26 QB Faizon Brandon plays. It may not help, but it doesn’t hurt, as Brandon is the No. 1 player nationally for next year, with Tennessee at best the leader and at worst in the running for his commitment. He announces his decision on August 3rd.
Regardless, Tennessee’s thrown the kitchen sink at Sanders, and the decision most likely comes down to the Vols and the Buckeyes. I like the Vols’ chances here, and so do a lot of folks, but I reckon we’ll all find out come 8/17.
