Ohio State, Tennessee battling as National Signing Day approaches for David Sanders Jr.

With only four days until Early National Signing Day, On3 Industry’s No. 1 offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. will not take any visits this weekend, sources tell On3. The Five-Star Plus+ Tennessee commit visited Ohio State last weekend and communicated with the Buckeyes throughout the week.

Sources told On3 throughout the week that the Buckeyes were working to get Sanders to Columbus for the Michigan game on Saturday. On3’s Steve Wiltfong first reported the possibility of a visit, writing that it would not be a surprise if Sanders popped up in Columbus for The Game.

As of Saturday morning, sources tell On3 that the recruitment is leaning towards Tennessee but nothing will be final until next week when Sanders signs his financial paperwork on Early National Signing Day.

Sanders and his family didn’t make the official decision to not visit until Friday night. Sources continue to tell On3 that this isn’t about the biggest overall NIL package, but the structuring of the offensive tackle’s deal and any perks that come with it.

Part of the decision-making process came over the Thanksgiving holiday as the family sat down and discussed Sanders’ final decision. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive tackle is ranked by the On3 Industry as the nation’s No. 6 prospect overall. He’s been a verbal commit to Tennessee since August 17, picking the Volunteers over Ohio State, Nebraska and Georgia.

Up until last weekend, Sanders had only visited Knoxville, most recently for the Alabama game in October, and had kept in constant communication with the staff.

Ohio State currently has the No. 3 overall class in the 2025 cycle, while Tennessee sits at No. 9. After playing both ways in helping lead Providence Day School to another state championship in 2023, Sanders earned North Carolina Gatorade State Player of the Year honors. In his senior season, Sanders helped lead Providence Day to another state title game appearance.

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