Left guard
Trey Smith; Senior; 6’6″ 335 pounds; Jackson, Tenn.
Coming off his second First Team All-SEC season as a guard in three years, also the second time he started a full season, Trey Smith is the biggest star on Tennessee football entering 2020. He’s also the best story by staying for his senior season when he would’ve been a high draft pick.
The University School of Jackson product from West Tennessee is destined for a superstar year. He has proven he could play any position, but with more depth at tackle, guard is his best spot. All-American talk is now growing for him. As UT’s best player, this is clearly no surprise.
Center
Brandon Kennedy; Redshirt senior; 6’3″ 301 pounds; Wetumpka, Ala.
While Trey Smith shocked the world by staying for his senior season, Brandon Kennedy getting a sixth year of eligibility was almost as big. The product of Wetumpka High School who transferred from the Alabama Crimson Tide is finally healthy.
In 2018, Kennedy missed the whole year due to a season-ending injury. He took some time to get back into shape last year, but by October, his play was a huge reason for the noticeable upgrade on the line. As the only proven center, this will clearly be his role once again. He has All-SEC potential.
Right guard
Cade Mays; Junior; 6’6″ 328 pounds; Knoxville, Tenn.
A legacy player who was once a five-star commitment to UT but then chose the Georgia Bulldogs due to the Butch Jones disaster, Cade Mays has now transferred back to the school where his father, Kevin Mays, played in the early 1990s. He should immediately start at right guard.
Like Smith, Mays was a Freshman All-American, and he can play any position. The product of Knoxville Catholic is a potential superstar who just needs the chance to show what he can do. This year, with a veteran interior line, he is set to thrive.