Tennessee OT signee David Sanders Jr. finishes No. 9 in final 2025 On300 rankings

Charlotte Providence Day Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. officially inked with with Tennessee on the second day of the Early Signing Period, putting worries to rest about another school flipping him.

Sanders then joined the Vols for bowl practice and participated in the Polynesian All-American Bowl earlier this month. It capped off a stellar high school career for him, one where he was considered one of the nation’s top recruits from the beginning of his sophomore year until his signing.

On3’s final 2025 recruiting rankings, which were released on Thursday, all but confirmed that. The 6-foot-5, 276-pounder was ranked as a five-star and the No. 9 recruit nationally to close out his career. Sanders also earned the No. 2 offensive tackle spot and No. 1 ranking in the state of North Carolina.

The Vols are looking at him to be one of the leaders of their 2025 class, which finished among the top-10 nationally.

“Coach Heupel has expressed to me many times that I’m the leader of this class and he wants me to come in and really lead them along with our quarterback and the other recruits that we have as well,” he told ESPN’s Paul Finebaum when he signed. “Tennessee did a great job recruiting me. The recruiting class they have coming in, I feel like we have a great mix of guys. We have a great quarterback, great receivers, a good defensive corps and other offensive linemen as well along with myself.”

David Sanders Jr. Scouting Summary

On3’s Charles Power compares him to former New Orleans Saints lineman Terron Armstead writes this of Sanders as a prospect:

“Twitchy, explosive jumbo athlete who has been one of the top offensive tackles for the entirety of the 2025 cycle. A two-way star for Providence Christian in Charlotte as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Has a tall, lean frame, measuring in at 6-foot-5 ¾, 276 pounds with 33.5-inch arms and 9.5-inch hands at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Added over 25 pounds as a junior. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Transfers that athleticism over to the field. An electric mover with considerable twitch. Explodes to the second level and moves effortlessly in space. Played much stronger than his lighter weight would suggest as a junior. Has developed upper body and core strength to plant defenders into the ground.

…Flashes some dominant tendencies as a drive blocker and finisher when engaged. Runs his feet on contact. Relatively advanced technically. Held his own against blue-chip prospects as a junior. Also shows off his athleticism as a defensive lineman. Would be an easy Power 4 prospect on that side of the ball. Displays his functional strength in track and field, where he’s a standout in the shot put, breaking the school record with a 53-3.5 feet throw as a sophomore. Will need to continue adding mass and show he can maintain his top shelf athleticism and hold the weight well within his leaner, streamline frame.”