Tennessee football: 10 safest starting spots on Vols 2019 roster

As a four-star junior college commitment lured away from Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide by Jeremy Pruitt in 2018, Dominick Wood-Anderson did not fully live up to the hype as a receiving tight end his first year on Rocky Top. He only had 17 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

However, he still was Tennessee football’s leading receiver at the position. Also, all offensive numbers were down last year given the horrendous issues on the line. And, most importantly for Wood-Anderson, there is not too much competition for him this year.

Pruitt has recruited well at the tight end position and brought more guys on. He has also said he wants to run multiple guys there and clearly prefers size. All of that would still make Wood-Anderson the most preferable option at 6’4″ 257 pounds, easily the biggest tight end on the roster.

Add in the transfer of Eli Wolf, and the only tight end with real playing experience on the roster outside of Wood-Anderson this year is Austin Pope. As a result, Wood-Anderson appears to be very safe in his starting role this year and easily makes the list. Like many people on here, expectations aren’t just for him to start. They’re for him to become a star.