Big Orange Report June 19, 2025

 

Meet the Vols 2025

Offensive Tackles

Position Coach-- Glen Elarbee

All Star Candidates-- Lance Heard, David Sanders, Jr. (Freshman Honors)

Lance Heard-- Junior (6-6, 325) from Bonita, Louisiana-- After transferring from LSU last year, Heard battled his way to the first-string job at left tackle, winning the job over a couple of veteran blockers. He was slowed by an injury and missed some time but returned to re-claim the position. Heard struggled at times and the staff believes he was not in the best physical condition before or after his injury.  Consequently, the strength and conditioning staff when to work with him during the winter and it appears that most of the concentrated efforts are going to successful. Heard has lost some weight and improved his agility and foot work. Coming out of high school, he was a premiere recruit, rated as a five star and the No. 2 tackle prospect in the nation on the On3 charts. He had played on both sides of the ball in high school and during his true freshman season in Baton Rouge he earned SEC All-Freshman honors. He was recruited by every powerhouse school in the conference. Coach Elarbee hopes that Heard will be an effective shield for the blind side of the Vol passers this season.

David Sanders, Jr.--Freshman (6-6, 300) from Concord, North Carolina-- Ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the Class of '25 by ESPN, Rivals and 247.com, Sanders was also listed as a top 10 overall prospect by those three services. He had offers from over 40 of the top football programs in the nation before choosing Tennessee. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina following his senior campaign. Described as a nimble, athletic and explosive blocker, Sanders is the odds-on choice to start at right tackle for the Big Orange. He has added some muscle and weight in preparation for the 2025 kickoff. He also starred in basketball and track for his high school.

Bennett Warren-- Red shirt freshman (6-7, 335) from Houston, Texas-- This is probably the player that will battle Sanders for the starting nod at right tackle in August.  He was a consensus four star ranked recruit by the services. ESPN called Warren the No. 6 defensive tackle prospect and No. 73 overall player in his class. He was also included in the 247.com top 100 and was named their No. 7 tackle. As it stands right now, the Vol staff has elected to utilize Warren on the offensive side of the ball. He is strong, moves his feet well and has very long arms. Eight SEC schools pursued him during recruiting but Tennessee was his choice. He needed a red shirt season to improve his techniques and understanding of the offensive schemes and now seems poised to contribute as a key reserve if he does not start.

Brian Grant-- Red Shirt Junior (6-7, 330) from Ft. Walton Beach, Florida-- A three-time member of the All-Academic Team in the SEC, Grant is a veteran offensive tackle that should be a key reserve on the right side of the line this season. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and has been a mainstay on Vol kicking teams over the last couple of autumns. His hard work on the practice field and in the weight room should pay dividends for this junior this year.

Jeremias Heard-- Red shirt Freshman (6-8, 335) from Rome, Georgia-- Here is a prospect who still can develop into a front-line blocker for Tennessee after being rated a four-star prospect after playing football for only his last two seasons in high school. He was a star in basketball before hitting the gridiron. Heard played on both sides of the ball as a senior and was listed by the recruiting services as a defensive tackle. In August he will challenge Grant and Warren for a primary backup role at the tackles in the forward offensive wall.

Position Summary

This group of tackles boasts very impressive size and obviously not many other football teams can feature two starters that were ranked the on the recruiting charts as the one or two tackle recruits coming out of high school. Of course, the question would be can Sanders handle the job as a true freshman. As an early enrollee, he has worked extremely hard to provide a positive answer to that question. The battle for the top reserve roles should be an interesting side light when practice gets underway late next month.

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