Only one starting member of Tennessee football’s offensive line from a year ago is returning to this year’s roster. This means there will be a mix of returning reserves, transfers and freshmen competing for the other starting jobs.
One of the candidates to start at right tackle is David Sanders Jr. Despite being a true freshman, the former five-star is already getting reps with the starters, with the expectation that he’ll fill the role in year one.
This isn’t necessarily something that’s being pushed on Sanders before he’s ready, either. He’s just already playing at a level, particularly after adding nearly 40 pounds, that he’s presumed to be the best option already.
“I feel like it was opportunity,” Sanders said on the chance to start. “I didn’t feel any pressure from the coaching staff or from myself at all. Everybody was just taking it day by day. Nobody ever came to me and said you gotta be our starter. Even today, yes, I’m running with the ones, but I still have to come in every single day and work, because your spot can be taken by anybody. Just got to approach every day with the mindset that you got to get better.”
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Opposite of Sanders will be Lance Heard, the only returner. The left tackle, who was also a five-star as a recruit, has taken Sanders under his wing in some ways.
This has given Heard some insight into why Sanders may be able to contribute in year one. A lot of it ties into the mental aspect and his willingness to improve. The biggest aspect is that Sanders is already aggressive and not backing down to any challenges.
“I like Dave,” Heard said. “I like his mentality. He ain’t scared of s***. Great worker, man. He listens. Very coachable. I like that about him.”
As someone who was also asked in his time at LSU to play as a freshman, Heard knows exactly what it takes to do it. He put it simply as, ‘You gotta be one of them ones.’ So far, it seems like the feeling around the program is that Sanders is exactly that.
