Vols Football: Projecting Depth Chart at Start of Fall Camp

Offensive Line

Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (second from left) is congratulated by wide receiver Johnathon Johnson (81) and guard Jashon Robertson (73) and center Mack Crowder (57) and offensive lineman Marcus Jackson (75) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at EverBank Field. The Tennessee Volunteers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 45-28. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Starters: Kyler Kerbyson, Jashon Robertson, Mack Crowder, Marcus Jackson, Brett Kendrick

Backups: Coleman Thomas, Austin Sanders, Dontavius Blair, Jack Jones, Dylan Wiesman

This unit is still the hardest one to nail down, as competition along most of the offensive line is wide open once again this spring. The Vols had to construct a whole new starting five linemen last season after four seniors graduated and junior Tiny Richardson declared early.

While the situation isn’t nearly as dire this season, the offensive line still remains a trouble spot for the Vols. Jashon Robertson and Marcus Jackson are all but locked in at the two guard spots (despite Jackson missing all of spring due to injury), and Kyler Kerbyson projects to play at one of the tackle positions. But beyond that, much is known about this offensive line.

Brett Kendrick appears to have the slight edge at whatever tackle position Kerbyson doesn’t nail down, but Dontavius Blair is finally starting to gain some traction after a disappointing 2014 season that saw him ultimately redshirt after failing to crack the starting lineup. Austin Sanders and Jack Jones also showed some promise during the spring. The ultimate test of this position, however, will come when 5-star Drew Richmond joins the team for the fall.

For now, Mack Crowder still appears to hold a slight edge as the Vols center heading into the fall. Coleman Thomas appeared to be gunning for the position until a legal dispute caused him to miss several spring practices. Thomas came back before the spring ended and picked up where he left off, but those missed reps cost him an early shot at stealing the starting center job.

Aside from the 3 starters all but assured their spots, the rest of the offensive line is wide open once the fall begins.