The Most Coveted Football Recruit In Charlotte History Savors The Journey

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s a hot morning in June, and the only opponents for Providence Day are the crunches on command, a twentieth gasser, and that godforsaken sixth set of pinned bench press.

The most coveted recruit in Charlotte prep history is in the fight like everyone else. But let’s be clear, David Sanders is unlike anyone else you’ve ever seen.

“If David Sanders is not a first round draft pick, I’ve never seen one,” Providence Day head coach Chad Grier said.

The 6-foot-7, 280-pound phenom is part offensive tackle, part defensive end, part teenager living his best life.

“Not many people get to go shake hands and sit down with Nick Saban. I’ve done that three or four times throughout my high school recruitment. I’m getting to meet Dabo [Swinney], Kirby Smart, Matt Rhule at Nebraska. These are guys that you grew up watching,” Sanders said.

The Summer of Sanders is a tour of the greatest traditions, most storied programs, and a commercial for “you won’t believe what I just saw!”

“The photoshoots for sure. They go all out. They have me holding the National Championship trophies, they have Lamborghinis,” Sanders said. “Some of these coaches really know how to talk your head off and be like ‘this is the right place for you!’ You’re sitting in the office like, ‘this is the right place.'”

But there can only be one school. In the meantime, he is taking his parents, grandparents and three sisters everywhere.

“Just to see the joy on my grandfather’s face is amazing,” Sanders said. “We are sitting in these coaches offices and sometimes he comes to tears with how proud he is of me.

“My sister plays volleyball, basketball, and does track; she’s going to Alabama; she went to Nebraska and got to see the volleyball facilities. That’s a dream that inspires her to continue to work at her craft.”

No matter what football cathedral courts him on the weekend, by Monday at 7:40am, he is back with his boys working for a fourth straight state title.

Grier knows he must let the prodigy go into the world.

“Now I’m more appreciative of the fact that I’ll probably never have another one,” Grier said. “Everyday is one less day with him here. It’s not just the football player – I love David Sanders.”