4. Darnell Wright, OL
When you bring in a five-star offensive lineman, you expect he’ll have an impact early in his playing career. That’s the expectation, and likely reality, for Darnell Wright.
Even if he doesn’t earn a starting spot in the first week or two along Tennessee’s offensive line, Wright should still be in the rotation at one of the tackle spots. Wright is big at 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, but he doesn’t move slowly. He has nimble feet for a player his size, and he’s the kind of physical lineman that usually has success in the SEC.
Coaches don’t like to have to play a true freshman on the offensive line, but the Vols may not have a choice with Wright. He’s extremely talented, and all he needs to do is learn the offense and develop the right chemistry with the other linemen playing alongside him.
Tennessee’s offensive line was very, very bad last season. That’s the reason Wright and fellow five-star Wanya Morris (more on him in a moment) were brought in by UT’s coaching staff. Unless Wright regresses in the coming weeks, he’ll be part of the Vols’ O-line in 2019.
There’s a chance Wright starts Week 1 for the Vols. Even if he doesn’t, odds are he’ll be a starter at some point before the 2019 season comes to a close.
