3. The O-line has options
Some of the offensive linemen, such as Brett Kendrick, are sitting out or limited this spring, but this has a good chance to be the best offensive line Tennessee’s had since its NFL-quality 2013 bunch. Seven returning players – Kendrick, Drew Richmond, Chance Hall, Jashon Robertson, Jack Jones, Coleman Thomas and Venzell Boulware – have started at least one game in their career. Newcomers Trey Smith and Riley Locklear look more college-ready than last year’s group of freshmen. Smith, especially, has the physique of a third-year starter in the SEC.
But don’t forget about those second-year linemen either. Marcus Tatum, Ryan Johnson, Nathan Niehaus and converted tight end Devante Brooks are all a year bigger and stronger. There was a heavy emphasis placed on upside and athleticism on those 2016 signees, and while they all need a little more work in the weight room, they all should be ready to at least provide depth and competition come fall.
The offensive line needs to be more consistent. That’s going to be the challenge for new O-line coach Walt Wells. But credit Butch Jones for restocking a position group that was in really poor shape just a few years ago.
First look at Trey Smith pic.twitter.com/e7TlHVHKc9
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 21, 2017
