'25 NC OT David Sanders (Tennessee commit)

[Orange Navy]

Back in the day, you typically stayed away from kids with handlers if at all possible. Now, so many have handlers you just gotta play ball. Sounds like OSU got down on its knees for DS’s handler. Is what it is.

With that being said, Heupel will have to seriously evaluate Glen Elarbee’s performance. None of the high school guys he’s signed are sniffing the field. He’s lived off transfers and Pruitt holdovers, some of whom frankly aren’t much to write home about. It screams one of two things: 1) A serious lack of development of our high school signees / poor HS evaluations. 2) being way too loyal too upperclassmen who aren’t very good. The latter can be fixed with a chat and self reflection. The former can only be fixed by getting a new OL coach.

You're spot on with #1. I don't think #2 is right because the Pruitt holdovers are our best lineman: Wright (last year), Spraggins, Mays. Addison Nichols was our best recruit in Huepel's 1st class and he's gone. I still hold out hope that the players on our roster will pan out. Offensive Lineman take a little longer to develop into contributors. Next year will tell for sure.

And regarding Sanders, this is where the stupid NIL should go. Pay him like we did Nico. We need to show we are serious about protecting our QB.

 

[UTvol1fn]

Sounds like he's gone.

 

[SoilVol]

Scroll up literally 8 posts

Alright I see that now, and my question still isn't answered. Is that someone we should be considering a reliable source?

 

[headhunter15]

Boy, this will be a kick in the nuts.

 

[#Vol4Life1991]

No decision was made, Sanders heads home to take time and discuss things with his family

Have we talked with him today?

 

[Vols2DaWall]

I just watched the Rocky Top Rewind. Matt Ray said specifically about Sanders, TN nor Elarbee did anything wrong. It’s a family decision. But I am sure if he does flip, some will still blame Elarbee.

This is a results driven league and he’ll rightfully take the blame. Losing Utu and Sanders is a fireable offense especially when other staff is having to make up for Elarbee being a negative in that department.

 

[Adam Sandler]

View attachment 700538

And who is this from? Posting quotes without citing does nobody any good.

 

[Smokymtnbullet]

What a turn of events. Sanders was recruiting others to commit to Rocky Top and led the recruits in “charging the field” after Bama win.

How do we know he want on a double secret recruiting trip to The OSU?

 

[SGMVols]

This is a results driven league and he’ll rightfully take the blame. Losing Utu and Sanders is a fireable offense especially when other staff is having to make up for Elarbee being a negative in that department.

Lol at trying to make HS OL recruiting a referendum on a coach when the transfer portal literally exists.

Frankly I’d be ok doing *all* OL recruiting through the portal.

It takes 2-3 years in college for most guys to be SEC ready anyway, why waste scholarship spots on guys who can’t contribute when you can just raid other rosters for guys who are ready to step in and play right away?

 

[vols 30]

Who is Sean Sparks??

Richard West's inside source

 

[Deathandtaxes]

I’d this is true then Sanders and his family is as clean as recently mentioned. If you are gonna be open and visit other programs then be upfront about it and let every side know where you stand. Super shady way of doing business.

 

[Weezer]

I’m sure but haven’t heard anything specific

Which commits should we be afraid of losing? I'm ready for the early signing period to get here.

 

[Deathandtaxes]

I’m sure but haven’t heard anything specific

Straight up if Heupel wants to keep his job over the long haul he needs to find another OL coach.

 

[DD4ME]

I have a hard time believing a likely playoff team would have bad recruiting class, but @KingVFL has never given me high hopes on our OL recruiting under current staff.

 

[jvols1999]

I have a hard time believing a likely playoff team would have bad recruiting class, but @KingVFL has never given me high hopes on our OL recruiting under current staff.

We might sign two OL…

 

[NoogaVol96]

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

Let him go.

Time to pull this money and put it towards getting some portal OL guys that are closer to being ready to contribute.

May need to try and get a couple DL too with losing so many to graduation.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Why was this guy visiting OSU when he should have been in Knoxville for our Homecoming game? Does he not realize he would be starting for us next season?

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I’d this is true then Sanders and his family is as clean as recently mentioned. If you are gonna be open and visit other programs then be upfront about it and let every side know where you stand. Super shady way of doing business.

Yeah, I’m not buying the whole “relationships” deal in this recruitment.

Seems like someone is in his ear trying to milk every penny from both sides.

 

[vol94]

How do we know he want on a double secret recruiting trip to The OSU?

What?

 

[NighthawkVol]

No decision was made, Sanders heads home to take time and discuss things with his family

Seems like good news.

So reports of staying through Monday or Tuesday were false.

 

[SGMVols]

Why was this guy visiting OSU when he should have been in Knoxville for our Homecoming game? Does he not realize he would be starting for us next season?

Highly doubt he would start here as a freshman. He’s pretty underweight.

 

[volsfordays]

A lot of this is attributable to his relationship with Tavien St. Clair, OSU's QB commit from the same class as Sanders. He seems determined to hand-select his own future o-line if possible and is approaching guys aggressively who he thinks are hard workers. That's a solid message if delivered to the right type of guy, the kind who wants to do what it takes to be great.

It's definitely not the money; on a per player basis, OSU is surprisingly cheap -- they just spend a solid amount on a lot of players and tell them they need to expect a discount if they want the exposure and development you get at OSU.

Also, Justin Frye is not anything to write home about, so I am kind of perplexed at how highly Sanders speaks of him. I will say this, though: whatever Frye is saying seems to be resonating with Sanders.

 

[GoodTimeVol]

A lot of this is attributable to his relationship with Tavien St. Clair, OSU's QB commit from the same class as Sanders. He seems determined to hand-select his own future o-line if possible and is approaching guys aggressively who he thinks are hard workers. That's a solid message if delivered to the right type of guy, the kind who wants to do what it takes to be great.

It's definitely not the money; on a per player basis, OSU is surprisingly cheap -- they just spend a solid amount on a lot of players and tell them they need to expect a discount if they want the exposure and development you get at OSU.

Also, Justin Frye is not anything to write home about, so I am kind of perplexed at how highly Sanders speaks of him. I will say this, though: whatever Frye is saying seems to be resonating with Sanders.

Thanks buckeye fan!

 

[appvol]

From the Ohio St on3

Sanders is currently a Tennessee commit, having pledged to the Volunteers over the Buckeyes back in August, and seemingly locked in with the Checkered Orange since then. So why the visit to Columbus this weekend?

With Sanders and his parents still on their trip to Ohio State, I don’t have a for sure/definitive answer, but in talking to multiple sources with knowledge of the trip, this is absolutely a business trip and not “just a visit to see a big game“. I’m not sure if anything changed on the OSU side re: upping a NIL package or anything of the sort, but as one source put things, “I think as we get closer to this being for real with the Early Signing Period, there were some second thoughts about Tennessee being the best fit for him. He’s always loved Ohio State and the academic program (medical field), as well as his fit in the culture there. I think he wanted to get back and make sure he makes the right decision on December 4.”

There is still more digging to do about this recruitment once the visit is over, but when it comes to that upcoming final decision, the initial word I’m getting is that there is a strong chance of Ohio State pulling off the flip. “Really high chance this happens,” once source put it. “Want to see what happens after he returns home from this visit, but there is a real shot of a flip,” said another source. “David and his family are really enjoying themselves and feeling very much at home. I think deep down he knows maybe this is where he’s always belonged.”