Cleveland, OH

Why 2025 five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. chose Tennessee over Ohio State

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2024

Why 2025 five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. chose Tennessee over Ohio State

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As “Rocky Top” blared from the speakers in the gym at Providence Day School, David Sanders Jr. sat and smiled as a host of reporters scurried to ask him questions.

In the previous five minutes, he had cried, laughed and exhaled. His college decision was finally set, and he could relax.

Sanders chose Tennessee over Ohio State, Nebraska and Georgia on Saturday afternoon, ending a months-long pursuit by the Buckeyes. Unfortunately for Ohio State, though, Sanders is headed to Rocky Top as the 2025 class is now in flux without any clear-cut options set to replace his spot.

The decision wasn’t easy for Sanders to make. There were thoughts that location was important for the Charlotte-native — Knoxville, Tennessee, is about a 3 1/2 hour drive, compared to Columbus, which is about a seven hour drive.

Sanders, though, squashed that on Saturday and gave a glimpse of how tantalizingly close the Buckeyes were to landing the No. 2 overall prospect, and No. 1 offensive tackle, in the 2025 class.

“A little bit, but Ohio State was — I swear — right there,” Sanders said. “Ohio State, it wouldn’t have mattered that it was cold. I was almost there.”

Sanders also credited Ohio State for the job it did recruiting him, noting that it was a very tough decision for him to decide between his first and second schools.

“Everything,” Sanders said of what stood out about the Buckeyes. “Their development. They did a phenomenal job recruiting me. That was a hard decision between one and two.”

While Sanders was going through the process, he relied on NBA forward and current Charlotte Hornet Grant Williams for guidance. Williams also attended Providence Day School and, like Sanders is about to do, attended Tennessee. The two have known each other since Sanders was in middle school.

Williams, the 2019 first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics, told him about the recruiting process and the business aspect of things. He and Sanders talked about his clothing line months ago.

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As for NIL, while Williams wasn’t in college for that time of college athletics, he was able to offer guidance as to what was coming for him.

“I told him it’s going to be something you’ve never experienced in your life,” Williams said. “Both enjoy it, and be mindful. You’re there for a reason. You’re there to accomplish something. Those three years can be great, fun years, but your goal is to make it further down the line … He’s a special kid.”

In the end, though, Sanders felt that the Volunteers did just a bit more than anyone else — the Buckeyes included.

“The personal feel,” Sanders said. “I feel like Tennessee had been recruiting me a little bit harder and longer than Ohio State. I felt at home more at Tennessee than I did Ohio State.”

A visit to Knoxville on the last weekend of July made his decision official, though he says he felt it from the time he took his official visit, as Ohio State’s most painful miss of the cycle came to fruition on Saturday.

“That solidified it for me,” Sanders said of the latest visit. “When I went there again, I thought, ‘I can’t wait any longer. I just got it done.’”

Wherever he went, he felt that he had the chance to start right away if he does the right things. The same goes for his team competing in the College Football Playoff.

And in a remarkably close decision, Sanders felt the Volunteers edged out the Buckeyes.

“I figure as long as I did what I had to do, I had a chance to start wherever I went,” Sanders said. “Tennessee definitely showed me clear cut, ‘As long as you do what you gotta do, you’re going to be our guy.’”

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Cleveland, OH

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

Published

7 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran strikes spark debate among Northeast Ohio residents

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Liberation Center and nearly 100 other organizations rallied in Cleveland Sunday to protest the U.S. strikes on Iran, demonstrating significant grassroots opposition to the military action.

The recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have ignited passionate discussions across the nation, and Northeast Ohio is no exception.

While state political leaders express support for President Donald Trump’s actions, local activists are raising urgent questions about the impact on American communities.

Dallas Eckman, a public school teacher and volunteer coordinator with the Cleveland Liberation Center, is taking a clear stance against the recent attacks.

“We need to step up as Americans and say violence is not going to be the way we solve out world’s problems,” Eckman said.

The frustration runs deeper for Eckman, who sees a disconnect between military spending and domestic priorities.

“It’s absurd that for me as a public-school teacher I am struggling to get funding for chrome books and books. I can wake up one morning and see we have spent millions and millions of dollars to bomb another country,” he explained.

Eckman questions whether these military actions actually benefit working people in Cleveland.

“Which does nothing for the working people here in Cleveland. It does nothing to make my schools safer. It does nothing to improve the road right outside the liberation center,” Eckman said.

Eckman’s concerns are shared by many in the region.

Despite local opposition, several Ohio’s political leaders are backing the Trump administration’s decision.

Senator Bernie Moreno released a statement expressing his support, stating, “President Trump sought for months to avoid conflict and negotiate with Iran to prevent them from rebuilding their nuclear program. I fully support his decision.”

Secretary of State John Husted also voiced his approval.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime had ample opportunity to be a productive member of the global community — instead, it chose to export death, terrorism, extremism, and instability against America and our allies,” Husted said.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.