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3. O-Line
For all the harm Dooley did to the program, there was one area of the cupboard he managed to leave very well stocked, at least for a year. The offensive line of JuWuan James, Tiny Richardson, Zach Fulton and company were more than serviceable. One could argue they were elite.
But the o-line’s mass exodus at the end of that 2013 season left Tennessee without the big uglies that every program needs for offensive stability. Thus began the rebuilding process that often featured heroic efforts from overachievers who maybe didn’t quite have the talent that Tennessee traditionally enjoys at that position. (Think Jacob Gilliam.)
Last year, however, Vol Nation saw the first real glimpse of what the offensive line could be. The end result was the second most prolific rushing season in program history. Coming into this season with another year under their belt, the line will be better still.
It will mark the first time in a long time that all five guys up front will be playing the positions they’re actually intended to play. What’s more, they bring with them experience. Six offensive linemen have started at least one game with 71 total starts among the group.
The big uglies have never looked more beautiful than they do right now.
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