Huge Get for the Vols: Tennessee fends off Ohio State to land David Sanders Jr.
Josh Heupel and his staff just secured another great recruiting class, but it didn’t come without fending off some big brands for key prospects down the stretch. After a scathing hot July and August for the Vols on the recruiting trail the undisputed crown jewel of the class was David Sanders. The 5-star offensive tackle from Providence Day School in North Carolina committed to Tennessee on August 17th at a heartfelt announcement where he spent several minutes thanking his family, friends, coaches, and anyone who had helped him get to that point. Sanders seemed like a sure thing for Tennessee, especially after being in attendance for “The Third Saturday in October” earlier this season, but the Vols still had work to do to secure his signing.
A late visit to Ohio State had Tennessee fans worried to death on Twitter a couple of weeks ago and for good reason. It seemed like Sanders was slowly slipping out of the grasp at the final hour and this was a movie Tennessee fans had seen before. Especially when it comes to offensive line prospects in recent years. “Fire Glen Elarbee” tweets were fired off left and right and again you couldn’t really blame anyone for thinking it. After this season ends it will be the first time that this staff will have to field an offensive line without a Pruitt leftover starting. Not ideal in year 4 of a program and it is primarily due to the lack of development and recruiting at that position. Fast forward to earlier this week and it was announced that Sanders would not be signing anything on the early signing date, but finally on Thursday afternoon during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show, Sanders announced his intentions to sign with the Vols. Tennessee confirmed Sanders as a signee soon after and the drama was over.
Sanders is expected to be in Knoxville soon as an early enrollee and starting next fall, he very well could be holding down a starting tackle spot. Shout out to Josh Heupel and Glen Elarbee for getting this one to the finish line.