Tennessee football: 10 toughest Vols to replace for 2020 season
Offensive Lineman. Ryan Johnson. 8. player. Scouting Report. Transfer. 839. Pick Analysis
Just like Marcus Tatum, Ryan Johnson was a reliable member of Tennessee football’s offensive line in 2018 who saw his role relegated a good bit in 2019 as the unit got deeper and better. With a new recruiting class of linemen plus the arrival of Cade Mays, he was going to have the same problem, even if he would be able to contribute up front.
As a result, nobody can blame him for choosing to transfer, and everybody should wish him the best of luck with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Anybody who saw Johnson, and Tatum for that matter, play for Rocky Top knows they have a lot of potential and could make a huge impact at other big schools. Georgia Tech is a place for Johnson to do that.
The reason we have Johnson on here is he has a bit more versatility. He can play guard or center, as he started in place of the injured Brandon Kennedy at center all of 2018. However, Kennedy’s return and now sixth year of eligibility combined with Trey Smith and Riley Locklear coming back along with the transfer of Cade Mays pretty much locked off all interior spots.
Add in the fact that Jerome Carvin can now play center and Cooper Mays committed, and Johnson really didn’t have anywhere he’d fit in. That’s why we have him down here on the list. The unit is too loaded with other talent.