David Sanders, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class, signed with Tennessee football on Thursday, ending a delay that stressed Vol fans.
Sanders had long been the No. 1 target of the Vols in this 2025 recruiting class. But he didn’t sign with UT’s other 24 signees Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Well, the wait is over. Sanders is a Vol, he announced on “The Paul Finebaum Show.”
“I just feel like they separated themselves very easily and just being around the program, it was easy to connect with their coaches, connect with their players, and connect with their recruiting class,” Sanders said..
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Sanders is a five-star recruit and the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He plays at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Vols have had recruiting success under coach Josh Heupel.
Tennessee’s No. 2 rated signee in its top-10 class is also from the Tar Heel state. Four-star defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell is from Durham, North Carolina.
Tennessee withstood threat of Ohio State flipping David Sanders
Sanders had been committed to the Vols since Aug. 17. And he visited Tennessee multiple times this season and was on hand in Charlotte for the Vols’ 51-10 win over N.C. State on Sept. 7.
Ohio State made a late push to flip Sanders, which included the tackle visiting the Buckeyes for their 38-15 win over Indiana on Nov. 23.
But Tennessee kept Sanders as the gem of Heupel’s 2025 signing class. He signed on Thursday and plans to enroll early in January.
Sanders could have a chance to play immediately. Left tackle Lance Heard is projected to return next season, but he’ll likely be the only starter back on the offensive line in 2025.
Sanders could compete for the right tackle spot with Larry Johnson, Jesse Perry, Bennett Warren and others.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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