Clemson, Georgia 'in the best position' for 2025 5-star OT David Sanders

A plethora of programs are vying for the commitment of Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day five-star offensive tackle David Sanders. The race for the 6-foot-5.5, 250-pound 2025 prospect continues to heat up as he begins his junior season.

Over 10 schools have received a visit from Sanders already, including Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan and Tennessee. The No. 5 player in the 2025 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, is likely hitting the road for another handful of visits this fall as he begins to whittle down his list of top programs.

On Monday, 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong talked the status of Sanders’ recruitment and where he’s expected to visit throughout the 2023 season on the Wiltfong Whiparound. Multiple heavy-hitters across multiple conferences are expected to be in play.

Alabama has “made a big impression”

Sanders has made three visits to Tuscaloosa, with the most recent coming at the end of July for the Champions Cook-Out event. BamaOnLine reported that Sanders’ bond with multiple Crimson Tide commits “continues to get stronger, per sources close to Sanders.”

On the coaching staff, offensive line coach Eric Wolford continues to build his relationship with the blue-chip tackle. Throw in Nick Saban and the Tide’s pedigree, and Alabama seems to be near the top of the pack.

“This elite prospect is beginning to line up his fall visits, and one program that he’s definitely going to get back to is Alabama. Had a great visit with them at the end of the summer. Looking to get to that Alabama-Texas game this fall,” Wiltfong said. “On his latest visit, got a lot of time with Coach (Nick) Saban, Coach (Eric) Wolford was attached at the hip with him and his family. Alabama is certainly a program that’s made a big impression.”

Michigan staying steady

“He’s also going to get back to Michigan,” Wiltfong said. “Michigan was the first program to offer him. Now he has over 30 opportunities. He and his family sat down with Jim Harbaugh in his office for a long time, really enjoyed Michigan. That’s a program that he fits in on and off the field. He’s gonna get back for the Ohio State game at the end of the season.”

The Wolverines have the advantage of being the program that’s been around from the jump for Sanders. Jim Harbaugh and Co. finally got him on campus in Ann Arbor at the end of July, in what was a successful visit for all parties.

“Sanders was impressed,” wrote The Wolverine’s EJ Holland. “He got an in-depth look at the campus and the facilities and also spent extended time with offensive line coach Sherrone Moore. While Sanders was unable to workout, he did go over film with Moore and had lengthy conversations. Sanders and his family also sat down with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for half an hour.”

Georgia and Clemson “in the best position”

Clemson has currently received the most visits of any program in the running for Sanders at four, three of which came in 2022. The Tigers, along with South Carolina, have had the advantage of being closer to home than some of their competitors, though Dabo Swinney’s group appears to have the edge over Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs hosted Sanders in March, in what was his first trip to Athens since watching UGA defeat Tennessee — another team in the sweepstakes — last season. Both programs are hopeful to welcome Sanders back for visits this fall.

“Also going to get back to Georgia and get back to Clemson. Those are probably the two programs I would point to right now,” Wiltfong said. “If I was handicapping this recruitment, I would say Georgia and Clemson are in the best position going into the season, but you have Alabama that has certainly impressed, he wants to get back to Tennessee — pointing toward the Georgia game — but there’s a lot of contenders in this one. Lot of game visits this fall for David Sanders and his family.”