KNOXVILLE, TN – July 30, 2025 – Offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. #70 of the Tennessee Volunteers during 2025 Fall Camp practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
A video of Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. at practice on Thursday has garnered quite a bit of attention since being posted. The video from GoVols247’s Patrick Brown shows Sanders completing a one-on-one rep while on the Vols’ outdoor field. While some are praising Sanders for the outright strength and dominance that’s shown in the video, others are more critical of the rising sophomore’s work.
Former Super Bowl champion and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz is among those who have an issue with what he saw in the clip.
“He barely gets any movement after contact, then his feet end up back where they started as he gets pushed into the hole, and then he gets a holding call if the RB is pressing it front side,” Schwartz commented on the video. “Why are we glorifying dumb reps like this?”
Here’s a look at the video that has nearly one million views in about seven hours:
Good morning from David Sanders Jr. 😳 pic.twitter.com/EHHfOHeNVn
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) March 19, 2026
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Other commenters have shared their thoughts on the video, with reactions on both sides of the fence. Many Tennessee fans are roaring with excitement about Sanders entering his second year in the program, while some outside voices are expressing their concerns.
“Grown man rep right there,” Pro Football Focus College replied.
Practice clip aside, Sanders is undoubtedly one of Tennessee’s most important returning players on Josh Heupel’s roster this year. The former five-star prospect was slow getting on the field as he battled injury last season, but eventually made his debut against Mississippi State and ran with his opportunity.
Sanders earned some play time off the bench in games and Arkansas and Alabama before making his first career start at right tackle on the road against Kentucky. He did not give up his starting spot for the remainder of the season.
According to PFF, Sanders played 425 snaps this season and accumulated a strong 67.2 overall grade. In pass blocking, he was given a 73.6 mark and as a run blocker, he was at 63.5. He was penalized just twice.
Following the season, ESPN’s Billy Tucker ranked Sanders as the 24th-best freshman in the sport. The North Carolina native was also named to On3 and 247Sports’ True Freshman All-American Team and the Coaches SEC All-Freshman Team.
While there is some uncertainty about Tennessee’s quarterback position heading into the fall, there’s at least confidence knowing that Sanders will be one of the five men tasked with protecting it. He’s a rising star on the Vols’ team and could be on pace to break out this season.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football news, notes, and coverage during spring camp this month.