ESPN Highlights Early Hurdle for Five-Star OT David Sanders Jr. as He Prepares for Rocky Top

David Sanders Jr. is not your average high school football recruit. At 6-foot-6 and weighing in around 290 pounds, the five-star offensive tackle from Charlotte, North Carolina, has the build, pedigree, and on-field dominance that make him one of the most coveted prospects in the nation. With elite programs from coast to coast fighting for his signature, Sanders’ decision to commit to the University of Tennessee sent waves through the college football recruiting world.

As a consensus top-10 player nationally and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class, Sanders arrives in Knoxville with enormous expectations. His blend of size, footwork, and football IQ have drawn comparisons to former first-round NFL draft picks. He is widely regarded as a future cornerstone for the Volunteers’ offensive line and a player who could eventually anchor the unit for years to come.

But as ESPN recently outlined in a detailed scouting breakdown, there is one key challenge that Sanders will have to address immediately upon his arrival on Rocky Top — the transition to handling the SEC’s elite pass rushers at the college level. While his talent is undeniable, ESPN analysts have emphasized that the learning curve for even the most physically gifted linemen is steep, particularly in a conference known for producing some of the fiercest defensive fronts in college football.

The report singled out the speed and complexity of SEC defenses as Sanders’ primary early hurdle. “While Sanders has been dominant at the high school level,” ESPN’s Tom Luginbill noted, “he hasn’t yet faced the kind of hybrid edge rushers who can beat you with speed one play and bull rush you into the backfield the next. At Tennessee, he’s going to see those types of players every week.”

The concern isn’t so much about his talent — that’s already well-established — but rather how quickly he can adjust his technique and timing to counter defenders who are older, stronger, and more technically refined than anyone he’s seen thus far. In high school, Sanders could rely on his raw physical gifts to dominate. At the next level, technique, leverage, and mental processing will become just as important.

This observation from ESPN aligns with what Tennessee’s coaching staff already knows. Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has been hard at work designing a developmental plan to ease Sanders into the college game. The Vols have made it clear that they’re not going to throw Sanders into the fire immediately without support, but they also believe he has the potential to make an impact early if he buys into the system and dedicates himself to growth.

“He’s a special talent,” Elarbee said during a recent interview. “But what’s going to separate him is how he attacks the weight room, how he studies film, how he listens and learns. The physical tools are there, no question. What we’re focused on now is helping him sharpen the mental side and giving him every chance to succeed early.”

One area that Sanders has already been working on, according to those close to him, is improving his hand placement and punch timing. In high school, he was often able to overwhelm defenders with a quick jab or by simply extending his arms and using his wingspan to control the edge. But in the SEC, he’ll need more nuanced technique — quicker hand resets, better anchor in pass protection, and a more refined kick slide to keep edge rushers from getting around the corner.

He has reportedly been training with former NFL offensive linemen and private line coaches throughout the offseason, focused specifically on pass-protection drills and footwork mechanics. Sanders is also said to be watching extensive film of NFL tackles like Trent Williams and Lane Johnson to study their approach against top-tier pass rushers.

But it’s not just about technical development. ESPN also cited the mental and emotional demands of adjusting to life as a high-profile freshman at an SEC powerhouse. The spotlight will be on Sanders from Day 1, and the pressure to perform can be intense for someone who’s barely out of high school. That’s something Tennessee coaches are monitoring closely as well.

“David’s a mature kid,” said a source inside the Tennessee football program. “But the SEC is a different animal. You’re playing in front of 100,000 people, on national TV, every week. Mistakes get magnified. Social media will be all over every missed block or sack. That’s why we’re making sure he has support off the field too — mentors, tutors, older teammates — everything he needs to thrive.”

Veteran linemen on the roster are expected to play a key role in Sanders’ development. Returning starters like Cooper Mays and John Campbell Jr. will likely take him under their wing, helping him adjust to the speed of practices and showing him how to handle the daily grind of SEC football. That mentorship could be critical as Sanders finds his footing.

It’s also worth noting that Tennessee’s offensive scheme under head coach Josh Heupel is known for putting linemen in challenging spots. The up-tempo spread attack often asks tackles to operate on an island, defending against blitzes and stunts without much help. For Sanders, that could mean a trial by fire if he ends up seeing the field early.

However, the flip side of that challenge is opportunity. If Sanders can adjust quickly, he could be in line to start or at least rotate in as a freshman — something very few offensive tackles in the SEC accomplish. With several current linemen likely to graduate or declare for the NFL, the path to early playing time is wide open.

Recruiting experts also believe that Sanders has the kind of upside that could make him a three-and-done player at Tennessee — someone who plays three seasons and enters the NFL Draft as a potential first-round pick. But getting there will require a relentless commitment to growth, something that his high school coaches say he’s more than ready for.

“David’s never been the kind of kid who rests on his talent,” said his high school offensive line coach. “He’s always working. Always asking for extra reps, extra film, extra feedback. That’s what gives him a chance to be great.”

And greatness is exactly what Tennessee fans are hoping for. After years of inconsistency on the offensive line, landing a player of Sanders’ caliber is a huge win for the Vols’ long-term outlook. He represents not just a dominant blocker, but also a symbol of the kind of elite recruiting Tennessee is now capable of under Heupel’s leadership.

In the end, ESPN’s projection about Sanders’ early challenge isn’t a criticism — it’s a recognition of just how high the bar is in the SEC, and how crucial development will be to his success. The road won’t be easy, but if his work ethic and attitude match his immense talent, David Sanders Jr. could be the next great offensive lineman to don the orange and white.

Vol Nation will be watching closely as his journey begins — with high hopes and the full weight of expectations riding on the shoulders of a young man built to handle them.