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Tennessee football 2019 preview by position: Vols OL

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Projected backups

1. Darnell Wright 

Freshman; 6’6″ 330 lbs; Huntington, W. Va.

The only unanimous five-star in Tennessee football’s 2019 recruiting class, Darnell Wright will be the starter at left tackle if Trey Smith can’t go. He’ll still be a rotational guy in the system. This is based on projection, but he should immediately make an impact in Fall camp.

2. Marcus Tatum

Redshirt junior; 6’6″ 316 lbs; Daytona Beach, Fla.

While Darnell Wright, Trey Smith and Wanya Morris are the splashy stars at tackles, with two of them being freshmen, Marcus Tatum is the reliable one. He’s played each of the last two years and before he was ready. So he’ll be a rotational guy again this year at the position.

3. Riley Locklear

Junior; 6’4″ 286 lbs; Huntington, W. Va.

He was limited in spring ball and even listed on the second team in the Orange and White game due to injuries. But fully healthy, Riley Locklear is the most proven guard. As a result, he should be the top guard in the rotation but not officially starting.

4. K’Rojhn Calbert

Redshirt Sophomore, 6’5″ 330 pounds; McMinnville, Tenn.

K’Rojhn Calbert took advantage of Riley Locklear being limited and stood out in the spring. He did enough to warrant being a borderline rotation guy at guard, and he may beat out Locklear for the No. 1 guard off the bench here.

5. Nathan Niehaus

Redshirt junior; 6’6″ 300 lbs; Cincinnati, Ohio

A lesser Marcus Tatum, Nathan Niehaus is another tackle with proven experience. He is a solid player who could work his way into the rotation if Jeremy Pruitt and Will Friend decide to go deep enough.

6. Jerome Carvin

Sophomore; 6’5″ 313 lbs; Memphis, Tenn.

Jerome Carvin is the final player who is in the fight to get into the rotation. He was a four-star recruit for Tennessee football’s 2018 class and will stick to guard this year. Carvin still has work to do to move up the list, but he provides even more quality depth.

7. Ollie Lane

Redshirt freshman; 6’4″ 308 lbs; Corryton, Tenn.

A three-star member of the 2018 class, Ollie Lane redshirted last year. He is a body in the rotation this year but likely won’t see much action.

8. Chris Akporoghene

Freshman; 6’3″ 296 lbs; Warri, Nigeria

Chris Akporoghene was a four-star on Rivals but brought lots of questions. Still, as an early enrollee, he has picked up nuances in the system that doesn’t make him last in the rotation.

9. Jackson Lampley

Freshman; 6’4″ 318 lbs; Nashville, Tenn.

Of the scholarship offensive linemen who could see action, Jackson Lampley is last on the list for this year. A four-star recruit who didn’t enroll early, he just needs time to pick up the system.

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