With spring camp here, football is back for the Tennessee Vols and it couldn't have come any sooner. The UT playmakers are back on the field, getting an early start on the prep for the 2025 campaign. While there's plenty of focus on Nico Iamaleava, a lot of attention is going to the newcomers.
On that list is elite offensive tackle David Sanders Jr., who graduated high school early and is already on campus in Knoxville. Sanders is going through his first spring with Tennessee and he's wasting no time in looking like he's going to be a monster in the trenches for this team.
Thanks to WVLT Sports Director Rick Russo, everyone has been given a close look at him and goodness, Sanders is going to be a problem for opposing defensive linemen for a long time isn't he? Check out this clip below and try not to be impressed:
Spring practice 2025 is underway for @Vol_Football and among several new faces is big #70, 5⭐️OL David Sanders out of N. Carolina @WVLTSports @wvlt pic.twitter.com/sFhgiJjlYN
— Rick Russo (@wvltrick) March 7, 2025
David Sanders Jr. is already making noise for the Tennessee Vols at spring ball
The 6-6, 285-pounder is looking like a natural fit already. Sanders may be a baby-faced freshman, but the expectation is that he'll push for a starting job during his first campaign playing for Tennessee head man Josh Heupel.
Normally, a true freshman offensive lineman will redshirt during his first season and then see playing time during Year 2. However, Sanders isn't your average lineman. He arrived at UT as a 5-star prospect, ranked the No. 2 OT in the country and No. 6 player overall per the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Heupel on David Sanders Jr.: Man, super smart kid, very engaging, very personable. Great family. Cares about the guys around him. Great work habits since he arrived... There's a lot of growth ahead for him and all the young guys on the roster.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 7, 2025
Late in his recruitment, there was plenty of worry that he was going to flip to Ohio State. When Sanders didn't make things official with the Vols during the first day of the Early Signing Period, panic alarms went off among the fanbase.
Thankfully, though, the North Carolina product made things official with the SEC powerhouse soon after and he's now excited to make plays for Heupel. The Vols HC has been impressed with what he's seen out of the youngster too, which makes things even better. The future is bright for Sanders, who has playmaker written all over him.