Tennessee has long been considered Wide Receiver U by many football fans across the nation – and rightfully so – but according to NFL opening day rosters and this tweet by Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports, the Vols may need to look into adding another unit to the university’s claim.
#Vols produced more guards (5) on NFL opening day roster than any other programs; #USC, #Cal & #UF had the most centers (3).
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 10, 2014
According to opening day numbers on ESPN.com, the Vols have five offensive guards listed on NFL rosters – currently the most in the NFL. Ramon Foster, Zach Fulton, Jacques McClendon, James Stone and Dallas Thomas comprise the list of guards, but the Vols also claim Morgan Cox (Cox is a long snapper for the Ravens, but is categorically listed by the NFL as an offensive lineman), JaWuan James, Antonio Richardson and Scott Wells as VFL offensive linemen in the professional ranks, giving them nine total offensive linemen in the NFL.
Where does that rank the Vols among fellow SEC teams as far as offensive linemen currently playing pro ball?
Tied for first with Alabama.
According to that same list on ESPN’s website, the Crimson Tide also claim nine o-linemen on opening day NFL rosters. Ole Miss is in second-place with six while Arkansas, Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M round out the top half of the conference with five each. The complete breakdown is as follows:
Tennessee: 9
Alabama: 9
Ole Miss: 6
Arkansas: 5
Auburn: 5
Florida: 5
Texas A&M: 5
Georgia: 4
LSU: 3
Missouri: 3
South Carolina: 3
Kentucky: 2
Mississippi State: 2
Vanderbilt: 1
