Vols Football: 5 Things To Watch For In 2014
By Zach Ragan
Jul 15, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Mack Crowder talks to the media during the SEC Football Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive Line
This has been the most scrutinized position group during the off-season for the Vols.
It’s not so much the players that Tennessee will use in 2014 that have been scrutinized, but the players they don’t have.
The Vols lost all five of their starters from last season (they’re all currently on NFL rosters) and they are currently trying to figure out just who exactly their starting offensive line in 2014 will be.
Before fall camp I thought the depth chart would look like this:
Left Tackle: Dontavius Blair
Left Guard: Marcus Jackson
Center: Mack Crowder
Right Guard: Dylan Wiesman
Right Tackle: Coleman Thomas
Now, as the Vols have recently concluded fall training camp, the projected offensive line looks a little different.
Left Tackle: Jacob Gilliam
Left Guard: Marcus Jackson
Center: Mack Crowder
Right Guard: Jashon Robertson
Right Tackle: Kyler Kerbyson
For many — including us — it was a foregone conclusion that Coleman Thomas would be the starter at right tackle. Of course that was predicated by Butch Jones’ pre-camp declaration that Thomas would be starting as a true freshman.
Thomas’ struggles during fall camp, combined with the strong performances of versatile offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson and former defensive tackle Jashon Robertson, means the offensive line depth chart has shuffled a bit.
Regardless of who starts along the offensive line, the Vols’ will win and lose with the unit.
If they catch on quick, it might mean Tennessee pulls off an upset or two. If not, the Vols could be in for another long season.