Boy Oh boy! Talk about trapping a big fish. Ryan Day and No.2 Ohio State Buckeyes might have gotten their hands on a few stars all thanks to Tennessee Vols. Fresh off their 38-15 stomping dub against the giants Indiana Hoosiers, it’s going to be a double occasion around the Horseshoe. Well, sources on ESPN’s College Football Portal boast to know a secret that probably got spilled right after November 23rd.

“Sources tell me that 5⭐️ OL David Sanders Jr. will flip from Tennesse to Ohio State. Announcement coming soon 🚨”, reads the breaking news for the Buckeyes fans; that’s heartbreaking for the Vols. By the looks of it, Josh Heupel and Co won’t be able to hang on to 2025 five-star offensive lineman David Sanders Jr. Now, if he is from the famous Sanders clan or not, that is for another day. But right now, his trip details to Ohio might be shared in a matter of a few minutes.

This time not just a visit, like the Charlotte native had when he was seen leaving the field with offensive line coach Justin Frye after the Buckeyes’ 38-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers. You might see him clad in that OSU red kit. Coach Heupel’s crown jewel could potentially be slipping through their fingers as Ohio State makes a strong push for the 6-foot-6, 250-pound D-man. With the early signing period opening Dec. 4, this battle could redefine recruiting momentum for both programs.

David Sanders Jr. has been the face of the Volunteers 2025 recruiting class—a player whose dominance on the field and top-five ranking on ESPN’s 300 list make him a game-changing talent. The Vols have ridden high on their recruiting momentum, but a potential flip to the No.2 ranked side could be B1G. Sources close to the situation told Alex Gleitman that “David and his family are really enjoying themselves and feeling very much at home. I think deep down he knows maybe this is where he’s always belonged.” 

While the loss of the four-star DE stung, Coach Day’s coaching staff has swiftly shifted gears to focus on securing Sanders. Adding a generational offensive tackle like Sanders could make up for the loss.

The loss of London Merritt is a gain for David Sanders Jr

While the Volunteers fans keep on volunteering for their rivals’ celebration, someone is stealing from them, right under their nose. With multiple five-star commitments already locked in for the Buckeyes in 2025, not all news is golden for Buckeye Nation. London Merritt, the four-star DE ranked as the 25th-best EDGE in his class by 247Sports, has officially decommitted from Ohio State, sparking a new chapter in his recruitment.

Merritt, who initially pledged to the Buckeyes in March, has been actively exploring other options. He visited Ohio State in June but made a trip to Colorado on October 11, signaling growing interest in the Buffs. With Colorado and North Carolina both seen as “warm” in his recruitment, Deion Sanders’ program is widely considered the frontrunner to land Merritt’s commitment. A perfect opportunity for David Sanders Jr. to wipe the tears around Columbus.