David Sanders Jr. has boosted his position as the cornerstone of Tennessee’s offensive line. The former five-star prospect arrived in Josh Heupel’s squad as the top-rated offensive tackle in the 2025 class and lived up to the hype despite an early-season setback.
Sanders is now busy in Tennessee’s spring practice, and he is also making sure to take some tips from the Vols legend, Trey Smith.
“I like to watch Trey Smith, obviously, because he’s from Tennessee,”Sanders said. “I talk to him a lot. He actually just texted me like two days ago just checking on me seeing how spring ball is going. I like to watch Paris Johnson Jr., Tyron Smith, those are just two guys that remind me of the way I play a lot. Very athletic, quick on their feet. Not the heaviest guys, but super athletic, good with their hands. I just try to pick up things I can improve upon with my game, as well.”
Smith’s tenure at Tennessee is remembered as much for his elite play, and he also arrived at the program as a five-star recruit. He started all 12 games in his freshman season in 2017, becoming the first Tennessee true freshman to start at left tackle in over 30 years.
Tennessee OL David Sanders Jr. Studies NFL Greats While Building Case as SEC’s Next Elite Tackle
Tennessee OL David Sanders Jr. Studies NFL Greats While Building Case as SEC’s Next Elite Tackle (Imagn Image)
Smith currently stars for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Sanders makes sure to stay in touch with him to see guidance.
“I would say when he’s in the season, probably not as much if anything,” Sanders said. “But off-season, he talks to me a lot. Really just check-ins. I know I can call him anytime. He’s pretty much just there to be a mentor and a friend, as well. I feel like he’s very open to helping me with my process and helping before the season, as well. He’s a great guy.”
As for Sanders, a shoulder injury suffered in preseason practice delayed his debut until late September. He started six games at right tackle and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
David Sanders Jr. Has High Praise for Derek Owings
With the departure of previous starters, Sanders has officially transitioned from right tackle to left tackle. He is practicing hard this spring to make the transition successful.
Spring practice also gave Sanders the chance to praise Tennessee’s new strength coach, Derek Owings.
“I would definitely say the work ethic and the accountability would be two things that stuck out the most to me,”Sanders said of Owings on Saturday. “He’s very non tolerance when it comes to missing workouts, missing meals, missing meetings, missing rehab, any little thing, missing to walk across the street, like he’s not playing around.
“You better be on your stuff when you (are) with Coach Owens. But he’s also a great guy. He comes down to lunch with us, he plays in the game room with us, come chill with us in meeting rooms and stuff like that. So he’s a great dude to
bond with and really, he makes you wanna give your all for him every time you go in the weight room, for sure.”
Owings arrived at Tennessee just hours after helping lead Curt Cignetti’s Indiana to a perfect 16-0 season and a National Championship. He previously worked under Heupel at UCF in 2018 before spending the last six seasons with Cignetti at James Madison and then the Hoosiers.