5-star OT David Sanders Jr. heads to Tennessee in Vols’ historic win
this Josh Heupel The Rockies’ peak period was accompanied by a renaissance in Tennessee’s offense and an equally beautiful turnaround in recruiting a few of the high offensive prospects throughout the nation.
***RELATED: Evaluation of Sanders’ assertion to Tennessee***
No participant embodies this new Greater than a chapter in Volunteer soccer, Nico Iamaleava enters what needs to be a breakout season as he has his first full offseason of preparation as QB1. Signing Iamaleava in 2023 kicks off a pattern of Tennessee signing high passers within the nation 12 months after 12 months, a theme that has been amplified lately By including 2026 QB HuiSpace Bedge
The Vols aren’t simply bringing in blue-chip quarterbacks frequently. The emphasis on trench recruiting, particularly defending these blue-chip quarterbacks, has elevated considerably since Huupel and this workers arrived in Knoxville. Nowhere is that extra evident than within the 2025 recruiting class, which takes one other large step ahead with the dedication of five-star OT David Sanders Jr. .
Saunders will rank among the many greatest participant signings ever
When Sanders indicators with Tennessee, he would be the highest-ranked offensive lineman coming into this system — forward of Drew Richmond (No. 12 in 2015 Rivals250), No. 10 within the 2023 NFL Draft Darnell Wright (2019 Rivals250 Rating No. 16) and Brandon Jeffries (Ranked nineteenth in 2002 Rivals250).
The elite offensive deal with out of Windfall Day Excessive Faculty in Charlotte, North Carolina, can also be one of many Vols’ highest-rated recruits. When he inks, he will probably be ranked behind solely Bryce Brown, who was No. 1 general in 2009, and Iamaleava, who’s No. 2 general within the Rivals250 in 2023 gamers. Sanders is presently ranked third within the Rivals250 class of 2025. The legendary Eric Berry additionally positioned third on the 2007 Rivals250.
HUEEPEL and VOLS have been recruiting OLs
Knoxville’s offensive blueprint locations a heavy emphasis on high quality positions corresponding to quarterback, move catchers and offensive line.
Since Hueppel and Glenn Elaby Tennessee’s arrival on campus in 2021 has been profitable in bolstering the staff’s general depth and enhancing expertise.
The staff drafted 5 offensive linemen in any respect in 2022 for the primary time, one thing it has solely accomplished 4 instances within the Rivals period. Heupel and Elaby have signed 5 offensive linemen in every of the previous three recruiting cycles. Throughout that point, every class performed enough RR The category common of 2024 elevated by 5.8 factors.
The addition of Sanders brings Tennessee’s whole variety of linemen this cycle to 3, becoming a member of five-star OL Douglas Utu and three-star OL Antonio Ogumoro. When the ink dries on the Vols’ 2025 class, it will likely be the highest-rated OL group in Tennessee (common RR: 6.0) Within the Rivals period – forward of 2015’s 6-OL class, which included Richmond (common RR: 5.7) and options in 2019 Wright (common RR:5.9). It should additionally proceed its upward pattern, growing its common rating to its fourth consecutive cycle.
