Evaluating the Tennessee Vols Recruiting Class at Dead Period: 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

With 12 commitments at the dead period, here is an evaluation of the 2016 Tennessee Vols Recruiting class so far and a look at other prospects they are pursuing. This post examines the tight end situation.

Welcome to the sticking point for the Tennessee Volunteers. Thanks to Derek Dooley, who went a whole year without recruiting any offensive linemen, the position was a major issue last year.

Thanks to Butch Jones, the line is slowly getting better. But it’s not there yet.

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The first string for Tennessee is fine with everybody back, including Jashon Robertson and Coleman Thomas on the right side, both of whom were freshmen starters last year and had to learn on the job. That made for a very difficult first half of the season.

Meanwhile, on the left side and at center, there are three seniors. This should make for a very experienced first-team unit that will at least be solid, and Dylan Wiesman adds some depth.

Thankfully, Jones also brought in six new offensive linemen for the 2015 class, including five-star Memphis player Drew Richmond along with three other four-stars in Zach Stewart, Jack Jones, and Venzell Boulware. That adds depth to the line, which should be fine for this year.

But with three seniors graduating after this year and at least one more player gone the next year, the line will be thin again in 2017 if nothing is done.

That is where recruiting for the 2016 class comes in. Let’s start the dead period evaluation by analyzing who is already in the program.

Next: 2016 Offensive Line Commitments