After a historic season for the Tennessee Volunteers rushing attack, the Vols hope to build on their success with some new additions to their offensive line.
In 2024, the Vols were only 233 yards shy of breaking the now 74-year-old record for the most team rushing yards in a season, set in 1951. However, Tennessee lost four starters on the offensive line heading into the 2025 season.
Some might ask, “How do the Vols rebuild after losing several starting offensive linemen?” Luckily, Tennessee has added three key members to its offensive line this offseason.
Tennessee’s New O-Line
David Sanders Jr.
David Sanders Jr. is a consensus 5-star offensive tackle from the class of 2025 who was listed as the No. 1 offensive tackle by 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN. During his high school career, Sanders was named Gatorade Player of the Year (2023) and finished as a Mr. Football finalist (2024) for the state of North Carolina.
Sanders’s world-class athleticism helped him become a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, shot put, and discus throw in high school. Outside of his attributes and achievements, Sanders also led Providence Day School’s football program to three straight NCISAA state championships.
Playing as a freshman in the SEC is no easy task for a player, especially for an offensive lineman. However, Sanders’s size and athleticism will likely gain him plenty of reps in 2025. Sanders has the most potential of any offensive lineman on Tennessee’s roster, but we will see if he can put it all together over the next few seasons.
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Sam Pendleton
Sam Pendleton is an offensive guard and center who transferred from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish following the 2024 season. The redshirt sophomore played two seasons for the Fighting Irish and was part of an offensive line that was back-to-back semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award for Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit in College Football in 2023 and 2024.
During his tenure with Notre Dame, Pendleton saw action in 16 games at left guard and started in seven games. Over those two seasons, Pendleton did not allow a single sack. The offensive guard also has experience playing in big games, making his first career start in a victory against the Texas A&M Aggies and even playing 34 snaps in the CFP First Round Game against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Pendleton is arguably the most critical transfer Tennessee snagged this offseason, and he will likely replace former offensive lineman Andrej Karic as the starting left guard for the Vols.
Pendleton also has experience playing center, which is crucial for the Volunteers after they lost their All-SEC center Cooper Mays, who became Tennessee’s first-ever Rimington Trophy Finalist in 2024.
If Pendleton can muster the same pass-blocking success he achieved with the Fighting Irish, then Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava should receive some much-needed protection.
Wendell Moe Jr.
Hailing from Long Beach, California, Wendell Moe Jr. is another offensive guard transfer Tennessee acquired in the offseason. The Arizona Wildcats transfer started in three games before redshirting as a freshman in 2022 and became an active starter during the 2023 season.
In 2023, Moe was part of an offensive line that helped bolster one of the best passing attacks in the nation, finishing as the 8th-ranked passing offense (308.3) in the country. This passing game success helped Arizona to a 10-3 record, including a 38-24 victory over the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners in the Valero Alamo Bowl. In addition, Moe finished his season as a member of the AP Second-Team All-Pac-12 in 2023.
In his 2024 campaign, Moe did not allow a single sack the entire year and played 122 snaps at right guard and 638 snaps at left guard. During those snaps, Moe only allowed a 2.2% quarterback pressure rate for the season.
Moe’s vast playing experience will be pivotal during the 2025 season, as the Volunteers have one of the least experienced offensive lines in the country. In addition to his experience, Moe’s ability to play both offensive guard positions makes him a valuable asset to Tennessee.
