Tennessee’s offensive line is in good hands with David Sanders Jr and Sam Pendleton in the mix.
While the offensive line has question marks up and down, the athletes they’ve brought in from the portal, high school, and even the ones developed in house… gives that position group a strong chance to be dominant again in 2025.
Considering the quarterback situation, the O-Line can’t afford to take a step back.
There seems to be a sense of ease around Sanders Jr when it comes to the topic of starting at tackle. The true freshman enrolled early, and since his first day there hasn’t been talks or heightened pressure that he HAS to start this season.
Now, if he’s ready, of course he’ll likely start or at least see valuable playing time.
It’s clear Sanders Jr. continues to make strides in his overall development from winter through week one of fall camp.
In less than eight months he’s already put on 38 pounds. Couple that with his already elite athletic abilities, he has a strong chance to make an immediate impact at tackle this season.
Currently, he fluctuates between 305 and 308 pounds. With that additional weight he says he doesn’t get tossed around as much during one-on-ones with the defensive line, but says Dominic Bailey still gives him the work.
“GOing against Bryson (Eason), Joshua Josephs, Caleb Herring, Daevin Hobbs, like those are some of the best guys in the entire SEC,” said Sanders. “So, I go against them every single day and they’re going to get me better every single day. So, going into Saturday I know that I’ve been prepared with some of the best players, so I know I’ll be ready.”
At his heaviest, Sanders Jr. is still on the light end among offensive tackles in the SEC. That becomes especially apparent when you consider outliners or players who are the best at their position like Alabama’s junior left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who checks in at 6-7, 366-pounds. That’s nearly 60 more pounds than Sanders and he’s about the same height at Proctor as well, 6-6, or so Tennessee’s roster claims.
Not saying Sanders needs to be there but if he could reach 315 which according to my research appears to be the average weight of tackles in the conference.
On top of his dedication to putting on weight and improving his technique, he’s also a film junkie, which seems to be the theme of the team once again this season.
That’s also allowed him to improve his mental game and IQ of which his position coach in Glen Elarbee has certainly taken notice of.
“He’s spent as much time or more time than anybody meeting, walking through and understanding there’s still way more to keep going from where he was to where he is now,” said Elarbee.
That’s the area that has Elebarbee’s attention, how much can or how quickly can Sanders really get a starting grasp of the system to allow himself to mentally compete on Saturdays?
There’s no question Sanders Jr. has tackled his goals and opportunities since arriving on Rocky Top. He enrolled early to give himself a leg up and then made sure to pitch those advantages to other high school athletes, then he’s attacked the weight room and nutrition. Resting at like 305 exceeds the initial hope and goal Tennessee had for the North Carolina native. Initially the bench mark was 290 then 300 and well they’re clearly passed that. If Sanders can couple the advantages of enrolling early and added size, playing time seems almost guaranteed.
“One the mental assignment part of it,” said Elarbee. “You have to be able to go to the right guy. Two, the technique of what you are doing when you get there. I’m not sure any of these are in a particular order. Like you got both those, and then for sure you have to go play incredibly hard,
strain, and try to go bury somebody. If you can go to the right guy, do a good technique and do it really hard, he’ll be ready to go.”
As Tennessee closed week one and opened week two of fall camp, it’s become quickly apparent how connected the offensive line room is. That’s become an aspect that’s truly helped Sanders in his development.
One, he’s leaned on Lance Heard the former LSU transfer and left tackle to help him with his mental. So much so, during the summer the duo dove in deep to the playbook and exercising technique.
“He’s forcing me to be great,” said Sanders Jr. “And I appreciate him for all the work he’s put in and just continuing to do so throughout fall camp because it’s going to be me and him out there this fall, hopefully.”
Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton is another teammate Sanders Jr. has relied on and for good reason.
Pendleton more than Sanders has the pressure to be a day one starter and being a veteran player, Pendleton should absolutely expect that.
He’ll likely be the starting right guard and could likely see playing time at center.
Pendleton took significant practice reps at center for Notre Dame last season. During spring practice at Tennessee he had been taking reps at right guard and at center. At his last stop, he said he took during practice about 75 percent of his snaps were at center, so he feels comfortable there.
With his experience and the way he carries himself, he seems like a natural born leader. Sanders Jr has certainly benefited from it.
“Sam approaches the game in a very unique way, like even in meetings it starts like that and he approaches the game like a pro, like he’s going to be a pro,” said Sanders Jr.
So Sanders Jr. is certainly trying to be a sponge as Tennessee inches closer to the start of 2025 season. With no added pressure from the Josh Heupel and the Vols, Sanders Jr. is able to just focus on his growth, but still gets in work with other starters which allows him to really measure where he’s at.
“I feel like it was opportunity,” Sanders said on the chance to start. “I didn’t feel any pressure from the coaching staff or from myself at all. Everybody was just taking it day by day. Nobody ever came to me and said you gotta be our starter. Even today, yes, I’m running with the ones,
but I still have to come in every single day and work, because your spot can be taken by anybody. Just got to approach every day with the mindset that you got to get better.”
In regards to Pendleton, his presence is certainly appreciated in the locker room.
While he’s a veteran player by definition, he carries himself like he’s been playing since the last century.
In the spring he revealed how he rewatch the 1980s Washington Commanders, back when the team referred to their offensive lineman as “Hogs.”
Elarbee certainly appreciates that old school vibe from the transfer.
“Yeah, he is the ultimate O-line’s guy,” said Elarbee. “He wants everybody hanging out outside the field. He wants to be physical, wants to stay in the game technique wise and wants to take incredible notes and just be an offensive lineman. Now, I think that’s sometimes few and far between to find somebody that enjoys the grind, enjoys the pain that shows up every day after practice and then does it with a smile on his face and encourages guys, like that’s pretty special.”
There’s no question he’s bringing the younger guys and team along, despite being one of the newest members to the group. It’s a quality Sanders Jr. values.
“I want to be like that when I get older, like that leader type of guy. He punches people in the field. I like Sam a lot. Sam’s my guy. We sit next to each other in team (meetings) and so he’s helping me out with the playbook as well.” said Sanders Jr.
