Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can least afford to lose for 2018

We’re back to the offensive line, and this time we shift our focus to a graduate transfer. Most of the grad transfers are locked in battles for starting jobs. As a result, guys like Ryan Tice, Keller Chryst and Madre London aren’t as crucial. There are other bodies at those positions.

In Brandon Kennedy’s case, that’s not really true. Kennedy, a grad transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide, has two years of eligibility left. He is seeing the most action at center for Tennessee football this fall camp. A 6’3″ 301 pound junior, Kennedy was once a four-star prospect. The guy clearly has lots of talent.

We already talked about how thin the Vols could be on the line. Well, at center, things are worse. Ryan Johnson saw action at the position last year down the stretch. He’s the only other guy with experience playing the position. However, he only played it in the spread.

As a result, Kennedy is the only guy on the roster playing center in a pro-style offense. And yes, center is one position where the change in schemes is critical. That’s what makes Kennedy so crucial for the Vols this year.

Johnson will bring value as a redshirt sophomore and provides good depth. But the Vols need somebody this year who is familiar with playing center in a pro-style offense. And Kennedy is the only guy who fits that mold. So without him, they could be in big trouble. That makes him the one grad transfer that Rocky Top can’t afford to go without.