Vols head coach Butch Jones singled out true freshman Jack Jones on Friday, during media day, when asked who had stood out among his offensive linemen during camp.
"“Jack is really the one that sticks out among the freshmen” — Butch Jones"
Butch Jones also noted that Jack Jones is now exclusively playing at guard. The Murfreesboro, TN native was signed out of high school as a tackle, but at 6’4″/307 lbs he has the size to play guard.
With redshirt senior left guard Marcus Jackson likely lost for the season with an arm injury, the rise of Jones at guard is especially important for the Vols.
Brett Kendrick, a candidate to play right tackle, has been playing some at left guard, while Jones has been playing at right guard with incumbent starter Jashon Robertson sidelined (Robertson is expected to return in the next few days).
With all the shuffling around, Coleman Thomas has seen time at right tackle.
The best scenario for the Vols would be for Jones to step up and take a strong hold on the left guard position (if he gets a chance, once Robertson returns) and for Kendrick to slide back to right tackle.
Obviously, with so many new, young faces on the roster, there will be lots of combinations tried along the offensive line.
Butch Jones said he wanted to name his starting offensive linemen “very soon”, but he also acknowledged that he didn’t want to put a timetable on naming his starters.
The performance of Tennessee’s offensive line will obviously have a lot to do with the Vols’ success this season. Losing Jackson certainly hurts, but the Volunteers have a more talent in 2015, albeit young, which should help to elevate the level of play from last season.