Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
3. Improved Offensive Line Play
Tennessee’s biggest weakness in 2014, without a doubt, was their offensive line.
The Vols’ offensive line suffered a mass exodus prior to the 2014 season, with all five starting offensive linemen from the 2013 season exiting the program (four due to graduation, one due to entering the NFL draft early).
Butch Jones was forced to use a myriad of combinations in 2014, including a walk-on with a torn ACL at tackle and a true freshman at right guard.
There will still be offensive line issues in 2014 (things aren’t magically fixed just because the calender flips), but an added year in the program, plus new talent, should be a recipe for success in 2015.
The interior of the Vols’ offensive line should remain the same in 2015.
Redshirt senior Marcus Jackson should resume his spot at left guard, while redshirt senior Mack Crowder should once again be the Vols’ starting center (the duo combined to start 23 games for Tennessee last season).
Sophomore Jashon Robertson, who started his UT career as a defensive tackle, but ended up starting all 13 games at right guard last season, will once again be Tennessee’s starting right guard.
That leaves the tackle positions up for grabs.
Kyler Kerbyson, Coleman Thomas and Brett Kendrick are the returning players that saw action at left and right tackle in 2015. I’d expect those players to get a look, but there’s no guarantee any of them will have a starting spot.
Dontavius Blair,a JuCo transfer who redshirted last season, will once again get a shot to earn a starting job. The hope is that a year to learn from the sidelines will have Blair prepared to be one of the Vols’ starting tackles in 2015.
Highly touted newcomer Drew Richmond should also get a chance to win a job. Butch Jones showed us last season that he’s not afraid to start a true freshman on the offensive line.
While there’s no magic combination that Jones can trot out to ensure success, there are least more options (and talent!) for the Vols in 2015.
Tennessee’s offensive line in 2015 might not be the pillar of success it was in 2012, but it will certainly be better than it was in 2014.