CLEVELAND, Tenn. – University of Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney needed to watch only four plays of game tape to realize the Volunteers needed to offer Austin Sanders a football scholarship.
The Bradley Central junior offensive lineman knew he wanted to be a Vol long before that.
Sanders became UT’s first commitment for 2013 Saturday morning.
“It’s a good feeling,” Sanders said. “I like the way that they are rebuilding the program up there, and I’ve been a Tennessee fan my whole life. They’ve got the people in that program that will be able to make me a better football player once I get there.”
Sanders’ early commitment had Internet sites scrambling to find out information about the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder, who bench-presses 315 pounds and power-cleans 320. He’s yet to have a Rivals.com rating, but that didn’t deter the Tennessee coaches, who were impressed by his agility and coachability.
“They like that they can teach me something and I can pick up on it quickly,” he said. “I need to get stronger, but I’m confident that going to the University of Tennessee, I can become a better football player and get a better education once I’m there.”
Having a player commit so early in the process is something new for Bradley coach Damon Floyd, who knows all about rebuilding processes as he’s taken a team that went 1-9 in 2005 and molded it into a state playoff contender, going 9-3 in 2010.
“It’s something we’re not used to,” Floyd said. “I feel fortunate to have a player like Austin, because I know you don’t get the chance to coach players like him often.
“He’s a kid that’s grown up in the weight room. He bugs me about lifting more and won’t have a problem getting stronger than he already is.”
The lifelong Vols fan said he is sold on his decision and could not imagine reopening his recruitment despite still having two years of high school remaining. Instead, he’s shifted his focus on trying to make Bradley a serious contender in Class 6A.
“There’s still so much for us to accomplish here,” he said. “We want to take out one team at a time and make it all the way to state.”