Offensive Line
Daniel:
LT: 1. Kyler Kerbyson 2. Dontavius Blair/Drew Richmond
LG: 1. Marcus Jackson 2. Austin Sanders
C: 1. Mack Crowder 2. Coleman Thomas/Dylan Wiesman
RG: 1. Jashon Robertson 2. Chance Hall
RT: 1. Brett Kendrick 2. Jack Jones
Thoughts: We got some clues, but not a ton of definitive answers at offensive line. A lot of the questions revolve around the center position. The coaches clearly wanted to create competition there. Crowder, Thomas, Wiesman, Robertson and Ray Raulerson all got snaps there. Some of that is also creating versatility, but I think they want to make sure that Crowder is the best option there after some up-and-down moments last year. If Crowder hangs on at that spot, I feel fairly confident in my starting five guess right now. But I can’t rule out a shake-up either. It’ll be interesting to see how five-star talent Drew Richmond impacts the depth chart. Coleman Thomas is a wild card as well. He could compete at right tackle or center. I thought Dontavius Blair did some good things this spring, but I’m still not ready to pencil him in as a serious threat to start yet. Still a lot of questions overall on this unit.
Houston:
LT: 1. Kyler Kerbyson 2. Dontavius Blair/Drew Richmond
LG: 1. Marcus Jackson 2. Austin Sanders
C: 1. Coleman Thomas 2. Mack Crowder
RG: 1. Jashon Robertson 2. Austin Sanders
RT: 1. Brett Kendrick 2. Jack Jones
Thoughts: Confidence Level: Still zero. All it would take is one guy emerging as a bona-fide star at a particular position – particularly left tackle – and this group could get shifted and turned upside down. Brett Kendrick put together a nice spring and proved that he can get it done at right tackle, and Jashon Robinson continues to progress at right guard. Center looked to be a battle before Coleman Thomas’ suspension forced him to miss a few weeks of practice…that’s a battle I’ll be keeping my eyes on during the summer. Marcus Jackson’s absence allowed Austin Sanders to get in a lot of work that will help this team from a depth-perspective once the season starts, while Kerbyson’s knowledge os scheme and technique was enough to keep the athletic Dontavius Blair working with the second team for most of the spring. Drew Richmond has a chance to really shake things up this summer if he arrives ready to play.
Reed:
LT: 1.Kyler Kerbyson 2. Dontavius Blair
LG: 1. Marcus Jackson 2. Dylan Wiesman
C: 1. Mack Crowder 2. Coleman Thomas
RG: 1. Jashon Robertson 2. Chance Hall
RT: 1. Brett Kendrick 2. Jack Jones
Thoughts: Uncertainty still prevails on the offensive line for Tennessee, but the Vols do have more answers there than before the spring. Brett Kendrick really emerged as the clear favorite at the right tackle position and, at this point, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t start game one there. Left tackle is still a concern. Though Dontavius Blair did show some positive signs the last few months. He needs to build on those to have a shot to start this fall. The Vols should be serviceable at guard and center with all the bodies they have at those positions – but they definitely need better communication across the board.
