Tennessee looking to keep momentum going with Five-Star Plus+ OT David Sanders

Charlotte Providence Day Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle David Sanders visited Tennessee last weekend, as the Volunteers looked to re-assert themselves as a legitimate contender for his pledge.

Josh Heupel’s program is one of six finalists for Sanders, the No. 2 overall prospect and top-ranked OT in the 2025 cycle. There’s stout competition, but Tennessee insider Matt Ray thinks the Vols improved their stock after the latest trip.

“This was another really good visit for Tennessee with David Sanders and his family. It was important for them to see practice, have a chance to see Glen Elarbee work,” Ray said on ‘The Inside Scoop’. “David Sanders paid a lot of attention to that left tackle spot on Saturday and liked what he saw.”

This wasn’t Sanders’ first time on Rocky Top — and it won’t be his last. He’s set to return this weekend for Tennessee’s spring game and has also locked in an official visit for June 14. The 6-foot-5.5, 275-pounder is clearly interested in the Vols and the rising SEC program is in position to make a major leap in his recruitment.

“I think the family had more of a chance to see some of the city…they’ve been here multiple times. I think they had more of a chance to be around more people in the building, get out, see the city and just try to find that comfort level,” Ray said.

“For Tennessee, really it was big because you’ve known that David Sanders was going to be in one of these weekends. Now, the hope is you would have him in both of these weekends and he’s expected back on campus this weekend for the Orange and White Game. So to have that opportunity to have him on campus basically six days apart is really huge for Tennessee — and given this time George MacIntyre will be there to recruit him as well.”

Official visits to follow for Sanders

Spring unofficial visits are in the books for Sanders after this weekend, as he’ll take his first of six official visits the following weekend to South Carolina. Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee will also receive crucial OVs with the elite trench monster.

On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong broke down where things stand in the race for Sanders earlier this week:

“When you talk to as many people as possible about this recruitment, Clemson is a program that’s always been at the top; Georgia is another program that’s always been at the top,” he said during On3’s Wiltfong Whiparound. “A recent visit to Ohio State definitely moved the needle for the Buckeyes in this recruitment. And Tennessee, he’s been visiting the Vols as long as he’s been visiting any program. Another big visit coming up this weekend, and we’ll have a great idea of where Tennessee stands going into the official visits.”