Tennessee football: Top 10 SEC stars 2019 Vols have to account for

Andrew Thomas is a rare offensive lineman to be a star on here. But the guy he’s blocking for is an even bigger star and one of the reasons for Jim Chaney’s profile as an offensive coordinator reaching new heights. D’Andre Swift’s success makes Chaney look like a much better hire for Tennessee football now.

Last year, he split reps with Elijah Holyfield. Both went over 1,000 yards together. Swift himself had 1,049 yards, averaging six and a half yards a carry, and he also scored 10 touchdowns. But to make things more impressive, he added 32 receptions for 297 yards and another three touchdowns, good for 13 total touchdowns and over 1,300 yards from scrimmage.

Now, with Holyfield in the NFL, the 5’9″ 215-pound junior has a year to himself. And his potential is through the roof. Tennessee football actually did a pretty good job on Swift last year, holding him to 50 yards on 12 carries and only one reception for 22 yards, but he did have two touchdowns.

With Chaney now on Rocky Top, there’s a question as to whether or not Swift can replicate his insane numbers. But elite running backs have been a thing on Georgia throughout this decade regardless of the coach, so it’s not likely to change in 2019.