PHILADELPHIA – Highly-touted Tennessee offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. was named to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Tuesday.
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander since 2018, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Shaun Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador and Legend.
Selected as a True Freshman Preseason All-American by On3, Sanders Jr. enters his debut season on Rocky Top as a projected starter on the Vols’ offensive line after transforming his body since he arrived on campus in January. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native, has impressed coaches and teammates alike during spring ball and preseason camp.
A consensus five-star prospect, Sanders Jr. possesses a rare combination of explosiveness, size and nimble movement that should allow him to make an immediate impact on the field this year.
Sanders Jr. was rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the 2025 signing class by ESPN and Rivals while also being considered a top-11 ranked player in the nation regardless of position by all major recruiting services.
The full watch list for this year’s award can be seen HERE.
The ‘HOT 37’ watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be narrowed down to 14 semifinalists in November before finalists are selected in early December. The winner will be announced in late December, and the award will be presented in March of 2026, at the Maxwell Football Club Awards ceremony.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
Special Teams Coordinator Evan Crabtree
247Sports 30 Under 30 List
Joey Aguilar, QB, Sr.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Chris Brazzell II, WR, R-Jr.
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Senior Bowl Top 300 List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Mackey Award Watch List
Senior Bowl Top 300 List
Third Team All-SEC (Coaches)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
ESPN Top 100 Players List (No. 31)
Senior Bowl Top 300 List
First Team All-American (AP, Athlon, ESPN, PFF, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Coaches, Media)
Wendell Moe Jr., OL, R-Jr.
On3 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team
Jaxson Moi, DL, Sr.
Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
David Sanders Jr., OL, Fr.
Shaun Alexader Freshman Player of the Year Award Watch List
On3 True Freshman Preseason All-American
Star Thomas, RB, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
