Tennessee Vols player named by Pro Football Focus as one of the top 10 true freshmen to watch in 2025
One of the Tennessee Vols’ 2025 signees was pointed out by Pro Football Focus this week as one of 10 true freshmen to know in college football this fall. PFF listed Vols offensive lineman David Sanders Jr among their 10 true freshmen to know in 2025. From PFF: Tennessee’s offensive line only posted a 61.5 […]
One of the Tennessee Vols’ 2025 signees was pointed out by Pro Football Focus this week as one of 10 true freshmen to know in college football this fall.
PFF listed Vols offensive lineman David Sanders Jr among their 10 true freshmen to know in 2025.
From PFF: Tennessee’s offensive line only posted a 61.5 grade as a unit in 2024, 105th in the FBS. The Volunteers also lost four starters up front, opening the door for Sanders to start immediately as a true freshman. He’s the current favorite to start Week 1 at right tackle for Tennessee and is an elite athlete for the position who’s a freight train in space. Sanders also didn’t allow a sack in his senior year. He will need to continue adding strength to his frame but is already up to 305 pounds after playing at around 275 pounds in high school.
Sanders, 6-foot-6/305 lbs from Charlotte, NC, is a former five-star recruit who was rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 6 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.
The North Carolina native is expected to start at right tackle for the Volunteers this fall.
“I think one, just his body,” said Vols offensive line coach Glen Elarbee this week when asked what he likes about Sanders’ progress since spring 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. 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. And 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’s just consistently, every day, ticking off something and just keeps building and climbing.”
Sanders hasn’t officially won the starting right tackle job, but it would be a surprise if he’s not the starting right tackle on August 30 when Tennessee kicks off the season against Syracuse.
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