It looks like Tennessee starting left tackle John Campbell Jr. is returning to Knoxville for one final season, via a video he shared on his X account Monday night.
A Tennessee spokesperson confirmed to RTI that Campbell is returning for one more season.
— John Campbell #LLL (@_jcamp74) December 5, 2023
Campbell appears to be returning to Tennessee as the extremely rare seventh year senior. The left tackle started his career at Miami where redshirted his first collegiate season in 2018, received a free year of eligibility due to COVID-19 eligibility relief and medically redshirted after suffering an injury early in the 2021 season.
More From RTI: Tennessee Offensive Lineman Announces Intentions To Enter Transfer Portal
The 6-foot-3, 320 pound left tackle transferred to Tennessee last offseason and won the Vols’ starting left tackle job entering the season. Campbell started nine games for Tennessee in his first season in Knoxville while dealing with minor injuries.
According to PFF, Campbell earned a 72.8 pass block grade, 50.7 run block grade and a 59.5 overall grade. Returning Campbell is a massive win for a Tennessee offensive line in a shaky spot entering the offseason.
Including Campbell, four of Tennessee’s five offensive line starters last seasons were seniors. Left guard Ollie Lane is out of eligibility but center Cooper Mays and right guard Javontez Spraggins both have a year of eligibility remaining. Right tackle Gerald Mincey also has one year of eligibility remaining though it is currently unclear whether or not he will use it.
The Vols’ offensive line depth was a major weak point this season so bringing Campbell back for another season to lock down Iamaleava’s blindside is extremely important.
