EDITOR’S NOTE: We could give you a standard preview on the Vols’ game every single week. But you can get that anywhere. Instead, we’re going to get you ready for what awaits Tennessee by drilling down on a key matchup.
By SCOTT FELTS
Saturday at Neyland Stadium brings a classic mismatch on paper between Tennessee and Furman (3:30 p.m., Neyland Stadium, SEC Network Plus). But the individual battle between Furman defensive end Joshua Stoneking, an FCS powerhouse edge and Tennessee left tackle David Sanders Jr., who is a power conference blue-chip talent, is the one worth watching closest.
The Matchup
Stoneking is the reigning FCS ADA National Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus first-team All-American, runner-up for the Buck Buchanan Award (given to the best FCS defensive player nationwide), and SoCon Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 258-pound senior from Raleigh put up absurd production in 2025: 79 tackles, an FCS-leading 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He was a one-man wrecking crew who accounted for more than half of Furman’s sacks.
Sanders is the former five-star prospect and Freshman All-American who started the final six games of 2025 at right tackle after missing the first four with a shoulder issue. Now a sophomore listed at 6-6 and 310 pounds, he’s flipped to left tackle, which is his more natural side, and enters the year as a preseason All-SEC candidate after allowing just two sacks across 480 snaps in 2025.
Why it Matters
Tennessee opens the latest chapter of the Josh Heupel era with a true freshman quarterback, Faizon Brandon, under center. Protecting Brandon is non-negotiable. Especially on the blind side, and especially early in the season. Furman’s best shot at keeping this game from turning into a total rout is generating pressure and negative plays up front. Stoneking is the clear headliner of a salty Paladin front that already flashed in the opener against Anderson, which, admittedly, is a Division II school. If Stoneking wins reps against Sanders, he can disrupt the rhythm of Tennessee’s up-tempo attack and force Brandon into early decisions. If Sanders wins, the Vols’ offense stays clean and the game gets out of hand fast.
Why Tennessee Feels Good
Sanders checked every box as a freshman once he got healthy: elite athleticism, recovery ability when off-balance, and strong pass-protection numbers (PFF graded him the top true freshman tackle in the country overall). He allowed just two sacks and 11 pressures on 231 pass-blocking snaps. The move to left tackle was always the plan.
He’s bigger, stronger, and more confident after a full offseason under new strength coach Derek Owings, who arrived from the same role at defending national champion Indiana. At 310 pounds with the same twitch that made him a top-10 national prospect, Sanders has the length and tools to handle the smaller, quicker edge.
Why Furman Feels Good
Stoneking is the real deal at the FCS level. He has high-motor production and is a monster who wins with hand use, leverage, and relentless effort. He posted multi-sack games repeatedly last year and was a weekly problem for SoCon offensive lines. At 258 pounds he’s not the biggest edge rusher, but he’s quick, experienced, and plays with the kind of violence that creates chaos.
The Paladins can’t match Tennessee’s depth or speed across the board, so Stoneking winning individual battles and forcing help (double-teams, chips, or extra attention) is how they keep drives from exploding.
Who Wins the Battle?
Sanders.
Size, length, and elite athletic traits give the Vols’ tackle a clear physical advantage in a one-on-one setting. Stoneking will get his moments as he generates pressure and TFLs at a ridiculous rate against FCS competition, but Sanders’ recovery ability and the sheer difference in mass should allow him to absorb and neutralize most of the rush. Tennessee’s scheme and tempo will also limit how many pure one-on-one opportunities Stoneking gets.
Expect Stoneking to flash and force a few hurried throws or negative plays. But, expect Sanders to win the majority of snaps and, most importantly, keep the freshman QB Brandon upright.
It’s going to be a fun battle to watch.