As spring football is around the corner, many teams will be able to preview what they could have for the 2025 fall season. The Tennessee Volunteers football team had a media availability, where the media got to talk with some of the team’s key players for 2025.
Sam Pendleton is Nico Iamaleava’s New Protector on the Offensive Line
One of the Volunteers’ newest offensive line members, Sam Pendleton, a sophomore transfer from Notre Dame, spoke with reporters Wednesday. Pendleton made his intentions known regarding protecting his quarterback for the 2025 season.
“One thing I will say is that I care about my guys,” he said Wednesday. “I have a real issue with people touching my quarterback and running backs. If you are in the backfield, you are my family, especially if you are on my (offensive) line.”
“I have a real issue with people touching my quarterback.”
— OL Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame transfer)
Consider Nico protected. pic.twitter.com/h4C6HRjwOq
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) March 12, 2025
Before Wednesday, the redshirt sophomore already made his presence known in Knoxville. Tennessee fans have expressed that they love him with his choice of face mask style. Pendleton’s face mask style has one bar going down the middle, while having four bars going perpendicular. It’s a style that you don’t see much these days.
Junior quarterback Nico Lamaleava has generally been protected well, but Tennessee needed an offensive line during the offseason. Pendleton comes in alongside former five-star true freshman offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.
Sanders Jr. could be the guy for the Volunteers to build the future of their offensive line around, but so could Pendleton.
The redshirt sophomore went 24-5 in two seasons for the Fighting Irish after signing there as a four-star offensive lineman out of high school in North Carolina. After redshirting his freshman season, Pendleton found himself beating out several veterans to claim the starting left guard spot on the Notre Dame line. However, the Fighting Irish shuffled up its lineup during their run to the College Football Playoff National Championship against Ohio State where he was the odd one out.
Just a couple of days after Notre Dame lost to the Buckeyes in the title game, Pendleton committed to coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee after an official visit two days before.
MORE VOLS COVERAGE: Nico Iamaleava Sings Praises of Tennessee Freshman WR Travis Smith
Pendleton will be one of the key players on the offensive side of the ball, and the Volunteers will be looking to build on their appearance in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff last season.
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