Tennessee football: Top 10 potential dark-horse Vols for 2018 season

One of Jeremy Pruitt’s first big splash pickups while recruiting for Tennessee football last year, Jerome Carvin is a four-star offensive lineman who already fits the mold of what Pruitt and Tyson Helton want. He’s the dream type of player for Will Friend to coach on the line.

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At 6’5″ 303 pounds, Carvin already has the size. He also has the raw talent, and with the questions at offensive tackle, he could shockingly become the runaway starter opposite Drew Richmond. After all, Chance Hall is returning from injury. Nobody else has really proven anything at right tackle. The role could belong to Carvin.

An early enrollee, Carvin also was able to pick up on the offense before many other guys. That’s a huge plus, and it’s also what puts him ahead of Jahmir Johnson here. Despite being younger, it was crucial for him to get those extra reps to pick up the offense.

What’s clear is that Carvin already is a major contender to earn a starting job with the Vols. It’s also clear that Marcus Tatum has struggled severely in the limited action he saw over the past two years at tackle, which includes three starts. Add in Nathan Niehaus’s lack of experience, and there’s no reason Carvin doesn’t have as much of a chance at starting.

Hall and Brandon Kennedy give Carvin the most competition on the outside for now, but in addition to Hall returning from injury, Kennedy may play center. So Carvin’s role could depend on what Riley Locklear does. But he could definitely be a major part of the rotation, and seeing action is highly likely even if he doesn’t start.