2025 5-star OT David Sanders Jr. during an unofficial visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of David Sanders Jr.) /

Anonymous college football coaches spoke with ESPN about the Tennessee Volunteers’ recent success on the recruiting trail.

Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. made history when he chose the Tennessee Volunteers over Georgia, Nebraska, and Ohio State on Saturday. He’s the highest-ranked offensive lineman to commit to the University of Tennessee in the rankings era and vaulted their 2025 recruiting class to the No. 6 national rank.

While landing Sanders was the perfect end to a run of 15 commitments this summer, their efforts in other places didn’t go unnoticed. “They seem to have a really good plan and process,” an SEC rival told ESPN. It seems organized. It seems targeted.” Tennessee has ensured that everyone, from the coaches to the collective, players, and administration, understands their long-term goals and what they need to accomplish them.

“They’ve got a good thing going,” another staff member, this one from the Big Ten staff, said. “You feel them for sure. They’ve got the money to kind of back up the production they’ve had on offense the last few years. They’re having a great cycle.”