What David Sanders said about Tennessee signing on the Paul Finebaum Show

Five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. went on the Paul Finebaum show Thursday afternoon to announce his intentions on signing with the University of Tennessee.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder has been committed to Tennessee since August 17 but visited Ohio State two weeks ago. The late visit created a lot of discussion entering the Early Signing Period as Sanders initially chose the Volunteers over the Buckets and Nebraska.

“Obviously Signing Day was yesterday, but we waited for today,” Sanders said. “I just want to let everybody know for the next 3-4 years, I’ll be attending the University of Tennessee.

“First of all, Tennessee has been in it from the very beginning. They offered me as a freshman in high school and they’ve been kinda on me every year. They’re just expressing to me that I was a priority in their class and a must get for the class of 2025. Coach [Josh] 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 other recruits that we have as well.”

Sanders is expected to arrive on campus sometime later this month as an early enrollee to get his career on Rocky Top started. His most recent visit to Knoxville was for Tennessee’s thrilling victory over Alabama.

The decision was a difficult one and one that came down until he very end. A final visit to Columbus, Ohio was needed prior to knowing for sure that Tennessee was the right choice. During that time, Sanders relied on his family for support.   

“It’s definitely a difficult decision, but I feel like with me and my support system, and that’s my mom, my dad – my family and many people I’ve known throughout this entire process – I don’t really move a step without them being at the helm,” the five-star continued. “So, listening to them and their advice on what I should do with my next steps and where we should visit.

“When I picked them in August, Ohio State was right behind them. So, I felt like it was only right to maybe give them one more shot just to make sure I had made my decision and this was firm on where I wanted to be. I appreciate their coaching staff just like I appreciate the Tennessee coaching staff because they did a phenomenal job recruiting me as well.”  

The five-star cited his connection to the Volunteer program for making himself feel at home.

“I just feel like the connection I had with University of Tennessee, you know, the coaches, the players was a lot different from the connection I had at Ohio State,” Sanders went on. “It’s a little bit farther from home, a little bit colder, and things like that. But, I feel like they just did a phenomenal job, but it was just that I just felt at home at Tennessee more.”  

Sanders is excited to play for Josh Heupel at Tennessee. The soon-to-be early enrollee explained how Heupel took the lead in his recruitment and was genuine throughout the entire process.  

“He’s a player’s coach. He’s a recruit’s coach. He’s the whole package,” the signee said. “When you you’re going through the recruitment process, you get a lot of fake energy from a lot of coaches, I feel like sometimes, but I feel like he was very authentic on who he was. He didn’t change from the very first time I met him until now. And then, just getting to talk to the current players on the team, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to change once I get there. You know? He shows you who he is, and if you don’t like that, then you probably won’t go to Tennessee.”

Tennessee concludes the Early Signing Period with 25 signatures, ranking 10th in the country and seventh in the Southeastern Conference, per On3. Sanders is Tennessee’s highest rated signing of the class.