Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders begins official visit schedule at South Carolina

The top uncommitted prospect in the 2025 cycle is in Columbia this weekend for South Carolina’s spring game.

Not only is Charlotte Providence Day Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle David Sanders back around the Gamecocks, but he’s taking his official visit — the first of six across the next two months.

The 6-foot-5.5, 275-pounder highlights an impressive list of prospects set to be inside Williams-Bryce Stadium on Saturday evening. This weekend will be crucial as the Gamecocks look to cement their position as a legitimate contender for Sanders’ pledge.

Five-star OL David Sanders, the No. 1 OT in the 2025 class, has arrived in Columbia for his official visit this weekend, I'm told. (graphic is what USC sent David prior the visit) pic.twitter.com/rVvMTbu14n

— Wes Mitchell (@WesMitchellGC) April 19, 2024

“They are what I call the land of opportunity,” Sanders previously said of South Carolina to On3. “I personally feel as if you go there and win a championship you will become legendary! This is something that is appealing for me the most. The distance from home also plays a little bit of a role knowing how involved I am with my family. I love everything about their program and where they’re headed.”

Official visits to Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Ohio State will follow for Sanders, the No. 2 overall prospect and top-ranked OT in the 205 cycle. It will be a tall task for South Carolina to land Sanders, but another positive trip this weekend is the next step for Shane Beamer and his staff.

The latest on Sanders’ recruitment

Earlier this month, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong updated where things stand in Sanders’ recruitment on the Wiltfong Whiparound. Sanders recently took back-to-back visits to Tennessee, while Georgia is currently trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

“From early on in this recruitment, Georgia has been considered a front runner and Clemson has been the dream school. They’re both still major players in this one. Two spring visits to Tennessee and one to Ohio State has seen those programs vault into major contention as well. In fact Sanders has spent the last two weekends in Knoxville. Official visits begin this weekend with South Carolina getting the first opportunity.”

“Clemson is scheduled for the first weekend in June, he heads back to Georgia the weekend of June 7, Tennessee the weekend of June 14, Alabama for a mid-week beginning on June 18 and Ohio State closing out the weekend of June 21.”

David Sanders Scouting Summary

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this of Sanders as a prospect:

“Twitchy, explosive jumbo athlete who looks like one of the top offensive tackles in the 2025 cycle early on. A two-way star for Providence Chrisitian in Charlotte as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Has a tall, lean frame, measuring in at around 6-foot-5.5, 250 pounds. Registers as a top athlete, excelling in the combine setting. Transfers that athleticism over to the field. An electric mover for an underclassman offensive line prospect. Explodes to the second level and moves effortlessly in space. Plays much stronger than his lighter weight would suggest. Has developed upper body and core strength to plant defenders into the ground. Flashes some dominant tendencies as a drive blocker and finisher.

…Runs his feet on contact and plays with some nastiness. Relatively advanced technically. Also shows off his athleticism as a defensive lineman. Would be an easy Power 5 prospect on that side of the ball. Also shows his functional strength in track and field, where he’s a standout in the shot put, with an outstanding personal best of 53-3.5 feet as a sophomore. Will need to continue adding mass, as he is relatively lean and does not have an overly wide frame. Older for the class, turning 17 years-old as a sophomore.”