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Evaluating Tennessee football’s 2021 OL class

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images /

Final take

As of right now, Tennessee football’s offensive line class is incredibly weak with just Colby Smith committed. After all, as we said, it doesn’t matter how deep you are, you always need to rebuild your line.

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Given the breakdown we mentioned in the opening slide, the Vols are guaranteed to have at least 13 scholarship players in their offensive line rotation entering 2021 provided there are no decommitments, transfers or early departures. However, that number drops to nine for 2022 as of right now, and again, that’s assuming everybody uses all of their eligibility with the Vols.

As a result, it’s pretty clear that the Vols need to add more talent to their 2021 class. Jeremy Pruitt has done such a good job restocking his line in previous years that it’s not as urgent, and he could still rebuild his depth with an elite 2022 class, but he can’t keep things as they are. There are just too many questions about the future if he does that.

Pruitt said in his opening press conference that it’s no secret you need to dominate the line of scrimmage if you’re going to win in the SEC. In order to do that, Rocky Top needs at least two more pickups at offensive line for its 2021 class. They don’t have to be elite pickups, but they need to be solid, developmental guys to keep the depth stocked for the future.

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Prediction

The good news for Tennessee football is that there are players on their radar who should commit to their 2021 class. One is Nashville product William Parker-Griffin. Then, two of four prospects still in play will commit: Diego Pounds, Jason Amsler, Jaelon Brown and D.J. Harden. That will give the Vols four solid development prospects for 2021, allowing them to keep their line stocked up.

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