Butch Jones Confirms Vols’ Starting Right Guard
By Zach Ragan
On Wednesday evening, Butch Jones confirmed that Tennessee will start a true freshman on the offensive line in 2014.
But it’s not the true freshman that everyone thought it would be just a few short months ago.
Jashon Robertson, who the Vols signed as a defensive tackle, made the switch to offensive line during fall camp and has apparently won the starting right guard job.
JONES: The OL is a work in progress. Surprise of camp has been @J_Rob51, he will start at RG as a freshman. He’s smarter beyond his years.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 21, 2014
Most Vol fans assumed that if a freshman was going to start on the offensive line, it would be Coleman Thomas.
That’s because Jones anointed Thomas as the starting right tackle back in May. But a mediocre camp from Thomas has pushed versatile redshirt junior Kyler Kerbyson ahead of the true freshman.
As far as Robertson goes, he could prove to be one of the Vols’ most important signees in the 2014 recruiting class. The Nashville native originally committed to Vanderbilt, before flipping to Tennessee shortly before signing day.
Robertson, who played on both the offensive and defensive lines in high school, has picked up quickly on the Vols’ scheme in fall practice. Jones’ message that he’s “smarter beyond his years” is extremely encouraging for fans of the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s offensive line will probably get off to a shaky start, but by the end of the season I think fans will be pleasantly surprised.