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Two-Minute Drill fueled by Food City: Tennessee's David Sanders Jr. out vs. Syracuse

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey08/30/25GrantRamey
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David Sanders | Matt Ray, Volquest

Tennessee Football five-star freshman and starting right tackle David Sanders Jr. will be out for Saturday afternoon’s season opener against Syracuse. Sanders was in street clothes on the sideline at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of the Noon Eastern Time kickoff on ABC.

Volquest was told Sanders was injured in practice this week.

Sanders is Tennessee’s starting right tackle and Brian Grant is listed as the backup, but Jesse Perry is expected to replace Sanders at right tackle. The Vols open the home schedule next week against ETSU.

Sanders was the No. 9 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking, picking Tennessee over Ohio State as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the country and joining an offensive line looking to replace four of five starters from last season. 

“The guy has done an incredible job of putting on weight and getting to a place where he can function here in the SEC,” Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said early during training camp “Mentally, he spent as much time or more time than anybody reading, walking through, understanding there’s still way, way more to keep going.”

Vols replacing four of five starters on offensive line

This season Tennessee is tasked with replacing Cooper Mays at center, Javontez Spraggins and Adrej Karic at guard and John Campbell a tackle.

“Sanders will have every opportunity to win the starting right tackle spot,” ESPN wrote.

Sanders has done his part since signing with Tennessee in December. 

“Where he was to where he is now, unreal and credit to him,” Elarbee said. “And then just technique wise, it’s so rewarding when you see him change something on a pass set or change something in the run game, technique wise, and it works. And the light clicks and then you get to go and move on to the next thing. 

“And he just consistently, every day, (is) ticking off something and just keeps building and climbing. (He has) done a great job.”

ESPN: David Sanders Jr. one of 10 freshmen to watch in college football

ESPN during the preseason named Sanders as one of 10 freshmen to watch in college football.

“Rarely does Tennessee turn a starting offensive line spot over to a freshman,” ESPN wrote, “but Sanders has all the developmental markers of an impactful tackle right out of the gate in Rocky Top. He was named North Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, a rare accolade for an offensive lineman, and was the No. 7 recruit in the Class of 2025.

“Tennessee coaches challenged Sanders to put on weight after he enrolled early and he answered the call.  The freshman now checks in at 6-6, 305 pounds with an exceptional combination of athleticism, lower body flexibility and reaction skills.”

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