The greatest five-star offensive line in Tennessee football The target recruit appears to be progressively losing interest or moving

Over the span of Tennessee football history, pinpointing the absolute greatest group of five‑star offensive linemen in a single incoming class inevitably leads us to one standout: the 2025 class, anchored by the commitment of five‑star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. This haul not only delivered the highest-rated offensive lineman Tennessee has ever signed, but it also represented the peak in average quality of the offensive front in the modern recruiting era.

David Sanders Jr., a 6‑foot‑6, 265‑ to 290‑pound tackle from Charlotte’s Providence Day School, arrived on campus in August 2024 as the consensus No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation and the No. 3 overall recruit in his class according to 247Sports (later slipping slightly to No. 6 overall by Rivals). His commitment marked the first five‑star offensive lineman to ever pledge to Tennessee in the Josh Heupel era and instantly elevated the 2025 recruiting class into the top‑10 nationally  Analysts noted that his signing made it Tennessee’s highest‑rated group of offensive linemen by average Rivals rating—a 6.0 composite compared to 5.7 in 2015 and 5.9 in 2019

Sanders did more than just arrive; he delivered top‑tier athletic traits: explosive out of his stance, elite hand placement, agility in pass sets, ability to climb to the second level in run schemes, and NFL upside—as a potential first‑round pick once his frame matured and gained strength

Alongside Sanders in that class were other high-rated linemen—including fellow five-star Douglas Utu, ranked No. 12 nationally by Rivals, and four-star Nic Moore who landed in the consensus top 250 prospects The cumulative quality of those signees, combined with depth and elite traits at the top, secured the label of Tennessee’s most talented offensive line class ever.

Looking historically, Tennessee has produced standout offensive linemen across decades: Chad Clifton, Darnell Wright, Drew Richmond, Trey Smith, Michael Muñoz and Eric Still are among the greatest individual linemen in program history. Chad Clifton, a second-round pick who became an NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, starred for Tennessee from 1995–1999. Michael Muñoz, consensus All‑American in 2004, is remembered as one of the finest tackles in school lore  Eric Still, the 1989 Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner and All‑American interior lineman, also left his mark). Antone Davis from the early 1990s earned unanimous All‑American honors and won the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy too. But none of those came with multiple five‑star linemen arriving concurrently, making the 2025 recruiting class uniquely historic.

That said, even the arrival of this spectacular class wasn’t without challenges. By mid‑2025, before the start of Tennessee’s next season, the Vols’ offensive line faced questions due to turnover—with only returning starter Lance Heard at left tackle and significant reliance on new additions like Wendell Moe Jr., Sam Pendleton, and true freshman Sanders . Despite the talent pipeline, uncertainty about cohesion and experience remained real.

Now, shifting focus to the second part of your concern: the target recruit progressively losing interest or moving on. If we take as a hypothetical example another elite offensive lineman or a similarly regarded blue‑chip prospect being recruited by Tennessee, the scenario typically unfolds around a few recurring challenges.

First, elite recruits often receive extensive attention from multiple powerhouse programs; even after cutting to a top group, late shifts can occur if other schools intensify their pitch or new coaches engage. For instance, before Sanders committed in August 2024, his finalists included Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Nebraska—he ultimately chose Tennessee, but the process spanned months of recruiting visits and relationship building .

If a recruit begins losing interest, it often stems from perceived mismatches: maybe the relationships with position coaches didn’t deepen, the campus culture felt less personal, or the program’s trajectory—winning, system fit, NFL development—seemed less compelling. Missed visits, reduced contact, or public statements favoring other schools usually signal those underlying issues.

Another factor: roster composition. If a program lands one high‑profile recruit early in a position group, that can reduce perceived opportunity for future recruits in that spot. If Tennessee already secured Sanders at left or right tackle, a similarly rated tackle may shift focus to a program where he’d be the unequivocal top priority. Commitment decisions can thus pivot quickly, leaving a recruit “losing interest” in a program where depth became too stiff.

Recruit movement may also be tied to coaching changes, offensive line coach visibility, system shifts (zone vs power), and early signs of playing time. If a recruit sees limited opportunity or a less favorable path to starting, the appeal wanes. That’s particularly acute in classes loaded with multiple blue‑chip linemen—the player may feel they’re buried or forced to wait.

To regain traction with a wavering recruit, programs often ramp up personalized engagement: bringing the recruit to practice, meetings with the position coaches and strength staff, connecting them with current players and recent NFL draftees, painting clear roster opportunity timelines, and showing professional development metrics. Visits tailored to family, emphasizing academics and wellbeing, also matter.

In the case of Tennessee in 2025, while they succeeded in landing Sanders, another five-star lineman like Darius Gray for the 2026 class remained in play. Early in 2025 he stated Tennessee was firmly “at the top” of his list, though nothing was finalized. Only after multiple official visits and comparisons with other finalists would his decision unfold

If he or another recruit begins to drift, it suggests either momentum from competing programs or uncertainty about role/opportunity. Strategic intervention—relationship repair, added visibility, roster clarity—is vital to keep them engaged.

In conclusion, the 2025 Tennessee offensive line class, highlighted by five‑star tackle David Sanders Jr., is the greatest single‑class group of five‑star offensive linemen in the modern Volunteers era. Their average ranking, elite traits, and recruiting context set them apart. Yet recruiting remains fluid: even star prospects can lose interest if momentum shifts, opportunity becomes murkier, or relationships weaken. Programs must be proactive—to both land stars and retain them until they sign.