Tennessee football hasn’t often depended on true freshman under head coach Josh Heupel. But the Vols are poised to rely on offensive tackle David Sanders more than they have any other freshman during Heupel’s five-year tenure.
Sanders projected major role at Tennessee this season led to ESPN naming the Volunteer offensive lineman as one of three SEC freshmen to watch this season.
“(Sanders has) an exceptional combination of athleticism, lower body flexibility and reaction skills,” ESPN stated. “Sanders will have every opportunity to win the starting right tackle spot on a Volunteers line that needs to replace four starters from last year as they retool in search of a national championship.”
The Tennessee freshman joined Florida receiver Dallas Wilson and LSU cornerback DJ Pickett on ESPN’s list. Sanders was a major win for Josh Heupel and his staff last cycle, ranking as a five-star recruit and the No. 6 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle according to the 247sports composite rankings.
But even incredible talent doesn’t make playing in the SEC as a freshman early. That’s especially the case at offensive tackle— one of the most difficult positions to play on the field. Sanders will almost certainly start for Tennessee at right tackle on the opposite side Lance Heard.
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The Charlotte native enrolled at Tennessee in January and has already put on 40 pounds to his slender frame while learning the Vols’ offense both in spring and now fall practice.
“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 on Sanders’ growth. “Two, mentally he spent as much time or more time than anybody reading, walking through, understanding there’s still way, way more to keep going. But where he was to where he is now, unreal and credit to him.
“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, ticking off something and just keeps building and climbing. Done a great job.”
Offensive line is a question for Tennessee enter the season with the Vols looking to replace four of their five starters from last season’s College Football Playoff team. Heard is back at left tackle and looking to take a major jump from his first season in Knoxville. Sanders will start opposite of him at right tackle. Arizona transfer Wendell Moe Jr. will start at one guard spot while competition continues at center and the other guard spot.
