Vols outlast late push from Ohio State to secure signature of 5-star+ OT David Sanders Jr.
When David Sanders Jr. and family showed up in Columbus (Ohio) less than two weeks before signing day, it was not an ideal circumstance for Tennessee in the late stages of his recruitment. The Buckeyes put on the full court press down the stretch, but ultimately, Josh Heupel’s program prevailed yet again for the top offensive tackle in the On3 Industry Rankings.
After not signing on Wednesday, Sanders officially announced his intentions on Thursday during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum show, and Tennessee has now announced Sanders as a signee.
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.
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The Scout on Sanders
“David Sanders Jr. is a massive get for Tennessee,” Power said. “He is a big time offensive tackle prospect and has an outstanding combination of reactive athleticism and play strength for the position. He has very good stature at around six-foot-five and a half and has added 25 pounds throughout his junior year of high school going into his senior year. He is running around 275, can really move at his size. He’s a truly elite athlete at the position. He know runs the 40 and the 4.8s. He’s very strong. He has kind of all of the athletic and multi-sport markers we look for at the position. He’s an elite shot put thrower in track and, and you can see that on the field. He’s always been impressive. Has been a national recruit for the entirety of the cycle and really could have been a blue chip prospect as a defensive lineman.
“He has that type of athleticism playing on the offensive line. Love his twitch and ability to mirror pass rushers. I think he projects as a high end pass protector as a left tackle. When you watch him in the high school setting facing top pass rushers, he’s always held up well. Like very rarely makes mistakes, and he’s already a really good player but has the upside to continue developing. I think he’s going to continue to get bigger and stronger as he adds weight to his frame. But plays with a very good physical edge. He’s nasty as a run blocker. He works to finish his blocks and has always been a guy who has played stronger than his weight. So, I think once he gets up to around 300 plus pounds, as long as he is able to maintain his movement skills, which there’s no reason to believe he won’t and continues to get bigger and stronger, I think he has the makings of a big time left tackle for Tennessee.” -On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power
