When Sam Pendleton got caught in the numbers game for the Notre Dame football team and its offensive line, it's safe to say position coach Joe Rudolph was almost certainly sorry to see him go to Tennessee.
Pendleton was one of several offensive linemen who got starts for the Irish in 2024 who moved on after the season due to the amount of talent at the position and the expected return of several injured players. While Rocco Spindler went to the Big Ten and Nebraska, Pendleton chose the SEC and the Volunteers. Now, he's feeling right at home and looking like someone who could definitely plow the road for his new squad.