Apr 20, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Alton Howard (2) signs autographs after the spring Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Stewart — Offensive Tackle
Tennessee’s offensive line woes in 2014 are very well documented.
Lack of talent and depth was a major issue for the Vols in Butch Jones’ second season at the helm.
Fortunately for Vol fans, Jones and his staff made offensive line a position of importance in UT’s 2015 recruiting class.
As a result, the Vols signed five offensive linemen (among them, the highly touted Drew Richmond).
Tennessee’s offensive line received plenty of criticism last season, but they did improve down the stretch.
And all but one offensive lineman (Jacob Gilliam) will be returning next season.
Jones has displayed a propensity for sticking with a lineup once it’s decided. That means that unless there’s an injury, you won’t see a lot of rotation along Tennessee’s offensive line. Which in turn means you’ll see fewer opportunities for playing time.
That alone makes Zach Stewart, a three-star recruit from Coalfield, TN, a prime candidate for a redshirt season in 2015.