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Tennessee football makes cut for elite in-state 2023 OL Brycen Sanders

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Heupel’s first full recruiting class for Tennessee football missed on a lot of in-state guys. That made sense, though, as he was fighting an uphill battle for most of the recruiting season given the NCAA investigations and the low expectations for the program.

Now, though, as UT starts to pick up more elite prospects, he should have them trending for more guys in the state, particularly on offense. That’s certainly the case for Chattanooga, Tenn., offensive lineman Brycen Sanders. A 2023 four-star across the board, Sanders has the Vols in his top four.

Joining Tennessee football on Sanders’ list are the LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels and Oklahoma Sooners. The product of Hamilton County’s Baylor School who stands between 6’5″ and 6’6″ and weighs in the range of 275 to 280 pounds announced the contenders Tuesday evening on Twitter.

It appears there are mixed reports as to where Sanders might play on the line. He is listed as an interior lineman on 247Sports and On3, but Rivals and ESPN have him as an offensive tackle. Perhaps that just speaks to his versatility as a player.

Either way, Rocky Top is about to have a need for more linemen. Jerome Carvin’s last year of eligibility is this year, and Darnell Wright is a senior. Both of those guys are starters. That means there will be openings at both tackle and guard next season,

As a result, an in-state guy like Sanders who is already highly rated would be a huge pickup no matter what. Even as Heupel’s offense is focused more on tempo, quarterback play and skill athletes, you can’t run anything in the SEC without being solid in the trenches.

Next. Top five 2023 in-state recruits for Vols to pursue. dark

There are no favorites on the 247Sports Crystal Ball to land Sanders. LSU is the unanimous favorite on the Rivals Future Cast, and but Tennessee football is the majority favorite on the Rivals Fan Future Cast. On3 has them as the plurality favorite with LSU in second and Ole Miss third. As a result, UT is very much in the running for him. He’s a guy they have to get.

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