The last few weeks Josh Heupel and his coaching staff have been on a tear on the recruiting trail.
On Saturday the Volunteers landed their biggest win of the 2025 cycle.
Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School five-star offensive David Sanders has announced his commitment to the Volunteers. He chose Tennessee over Georgia, Nebraska and Ohio State.
The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 1 player out of North Carolina according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking.
Sanders has taken his time when it comes to making his decision taking official visits to South Carolina (4/19), Nebraska (5/10), Clemson (5/31), Georgia (6/7), Tennessee (6/14) and Ohio State (6/21) over the last few months.
Sanders’ decision seemingly came down to Nebraska and Tennessee. He took trips to both schools late in July with the trip to Knoxville ultimately winning out for him.
Josh Heupel’s made it an emphasis on landing the top players out of Tennessee. However, North Carolina’s could quickly become a recruiting hotbed for the Vols.
Sanders is the second elite recruit to commit to Tennessee over the last few weeks out of the Tar Heel State.
Faizon Brandon, a five-star quarterback out of Greensboro, became Tennessee’s first 2026 pledge on August 3. Brandon is ranked as the top overall prospect in the 2026 class.
