The Tennessee Volunteers have suffered a significant blow to their 2025 recruiting class as five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. has flipped his commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Sanders, regarded as the nation’s top offensive lineman and the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2025 class, had been committed to Tennessee since August. However, a late push from Ohio State, spearheaded by head coach Ryan Day, convinced the Charlotte native to change course.
Sanders’ flip came after a whirlwind recruitment cycle. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel made Sanders the centerpiece of the Vols’ future, hoping to build the offensive line around the elite tackle. However, Sanders’ recent visit to Columbus, coinciding with a high-profile Ohio State victory over Indiana, seemed to tip the scales. Reports suggest that Ohio State’s consistent success and strategic outreach resonated with Sanders and his family, leading to his last-minute decision.
This loss is a tough pill for Tennessee, especially after they initially beat out Ohio State, Georgia, and Nebraska for Sanders’ commitment. His departure highlights the fierce competition in modern college football recruiting, where even solid commitments can waver due to late-stage efforts from other programs. For Heupel and his staff, this is a moment of reflection as they look to regroup and reinforce their 2025 class while avoiding similar outcomes in the future.
As Sanders prepares for his future in Columbus, Tennessee must pivot quickly to secure alternative prospects to bolster their offensive line, a key area of need in their SEC aspirations.
