Vols land crown jewel of 2025 class as 5-star + OT David Sanders details his Tennessee decision
CHARLOTTE — Moments ago, 2025 five-star+ offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. announced his decision to commit to Tennessee, choosing the Vols over Georgia, Nebraska and Ohio State. Prior to publicly revealing his decision, Sanders went in-depth with Volquest on his decision to don the Orange and White.
There was a certain level of comfort in Knoxville for Sanders and his family after visiting Rocky Top five times this calendar year alone and that played a crucial in his decision to choose the Vols.
“Tennessee has been in it from the beginning I would say,” Sanders said of his decision to choose the Vols. “I knew I was a priority for their program. They have done an amazing job since day one just letting me know I am a priority for their program. They have great facilities, great training staff, strength and conditioning. It is somewhere I can go and develop.”
Sanders took a couple of visits in July, but he knew in his heart Tennessee was the choice even earlier than that.
“I knew Tennessee was going to be the one after my official visit in June,” Sanders said. “It was just that family atmosphere. When people say, I go and got that feel, it was one of those moments. I was sitting in Coach Heupel’s office, we had a good conversation, me, my mom, my dad, and my grandparents just sitting in there. I was like, “yeah, this is it.” Obviously, I took the rest of my officials just to see and hear everybody else out, but I knew from then I was going to be a Tennessee Vol.”
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel played a vital role in landing Sanders, as his hands on approach and the culture he has established played a key role for the Sanders family.
The personality,” Sanders said of the Tennessee Head Coach. “He gave me that family feel. He does not change from day-to-day. It seems like he never has a bad day. He approaches his job very seriously. He loves his players and seeing the smiles on their faces when they see him and no one is really hiding from him. I feel like that is something I can go into and really strive.”
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Vols offensive line coach Glen Elarbee was also a major factor for Sanders and his family, as the five-star saw a clear path of development and opportunity in playing for the assistant coach.
“I feel like Coach Elarbee translated from my coaches I have here at Providence Day all the way to what I will have in college,” Sanders said of Elarbee’s importance. “Just seeing him interact with the players in the meeting room and on the field. It really translates easily. The way he coaches on the field is way different than how he is in the meeting room. In the meeting room, he is really technically sound, and on the field, he is intense with everything. He is very calm and patient with his players. I feel like coming in as a freshman, you can really benefit off of that.”
Max Thurmond is a great relationship builder for the Vols on the offensive side of the ball, with none being bigger than Sanders, who glowed when talking about the Vols Senior Offensive Analyst.
“Max, that is my guy, man,” Sanders said of Thurmond. “He has been the great recruiter for me. Probably one of the best recruiters in the country. Just him staying persistent and keeping in contact with me even in the beginning stages when I wasn’t really talking and stuff, he would get me around the coaching staff. I really appreciate the way he has treated my family and just talking to us. It has been amazing.”
