Adversity. Frustration. Adjustments. Success.
David Sanders Jr. has experienced a little bit of everything this season as a Tennessee freshman right tackle, which is why he doesn’t simplify things when asked about it.
“I don’t know if I can describe it in one word, but it’s been an amazing experience,” Sanders said last week in a news conference. “Just going from a recruit to a player was a big difference, and then being able to run out there against Mississippi State and Arkansas and Oklahoma — having each and every one of those experiences was just something I took in.
“As a freshman, you’re always excited, and there are a lot of emotions. I would be in the hotel on a Friday night just using the bathroom all night because I was so nervous for the game. I was always very excited.”
Volunteers fans were excited to see the 6-foot-6, 305-pounder from Charlotte, who was Tennessee’s highest-rated signee in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Sanders was the nation’s No. 6 overall prospect on the 247Sports.com composite rankings, but a lingering shoulder injury sidelined him for the start of the season.
He was cleared before the Sept. 27 trip to Mississippi State and made his debut in that 41-34 overtime triumph, replacing an injured Jesse Perry and playing the final 11 snaps of a 13-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter that culminated with Joey Aguilar’s 6-yard touchdown run that produced a 34-34 tie.
“I did not think that I was going to play in that game,” Sanders said. “I had just gotten cleared that Tuesday or Wednesday, so I only had one or two practices under my belt. When we got to the fourth quarter, I figured I wasn’t going to play, but then there was a freak accident that happened, and I was ready for my moment.”
Sanders was also ready for the rest of the season, playing 22 snaps in the 34-31 win over Arkansas on Oct. 11 and 49 snaps the following week in the 37-20 loss at Alabama. He helped the Vols pound out 264 rushing yards against the Razorbacks, and he didn’t allow a quarterback pressure against the Crimson Tide.
His first start took place at Kentucky on Oct. 25, when Sanders helped Tennessee rack up 504 yards in a 56-34 victory, and there would be four more starts to close out the regular season. As a five-star talent at Providence Day School, he played nothing but left tackle, so competing on the right side was a new experience.
“I think it’s good as an offensive lineman to be versatile and to be able to show people you can play both sides,” Sanders said. “Being able to develop this season at right tackle has been really cool. I had ups and downs in spring ball, but I was able to work at it all summer.”
Sanders credits junior left tackle Lance Heard for taking him under his wing earlier this year. Heard has not revealed his intentions for next season, but Sanders will be eager to compete regardless of where he’s lining up.
Whether Heard is back or not, Sanders promises to assume more of a leadership role as the Vols move forward following Tuesday’s Music City Bowl (5:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN) against Illinois.
“When I first got here, I just wanted to shut up and work,” Sanders said. “I didn’t have any room to talk to anybody. I had to prove myself to the room, and now I feel I’ve proven myself as one of the leaders on the team and especially in the O-line room.
“If there is something I want to say, I don’t have a problem saying it now.”
Hood declares
Vols redshirt sophomore cornerback Colton Hood officially declared for the NFL draft Wednesday afternoon.
In his one season at Tennessee after transferring from Colorado, the 6-foot, 195-pound Hood racked up 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception. His fumble return against Syracuse and his interception return against Mississippi State went for touchdowns.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.