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Tennessee football: Two OL top five at their positions, online magazine says

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Two Tennessee football Volunteers may be among the best at their positions.

One offensive lineman for Tennessee football has been getting a ton of offseason love, and he got it once again from a national online magazine to kick off the week. However, he was surprisingly joined by another linemen on Rocky Top as well.

Senior offensive lineman had already been named to College Football News’ All-American team. On Monday, the online magazine’s ranking of players by positions had him as the No. 1 guard in the nation.

However, more shockingly, Tennessee football sophomore lineman Wanya Morris made the outlet’s list of top 10 offensive tackles in the nation, coming in at No. 5. They were the only two players on Rocky Top to make the list.

For Smith, a 6’6″ 330-pound two-time First-Team All-SEC guard who is a first-round NFL Draft prospect, this isn’t shocking. He was a first-team Preseason AP All-American and on so many more lists. His decision to return for his senior season despite his injuries spiked expectations across the board for him.

Morris, meanwhile, is a different story. He did play every game last year and started 12 of them at left tackle, earning Freshman All-SEC and numerous Freshman All-American awards, but the idea that he would be a top five tackle nationally seemed out of the question.

Given the fact that Cade Mays could still win his eligibility appeal, Brandon Kennedy is a proven veteran and Darnell Wright is another rising star, Morris being on this list with Smith peaks volumes for UT’s offensive line. Jeremy Pruitt really has built it up, and the Vols could potentially have multiple All-Americans there this year.

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This All-American team and rankings was adjusted for players who are actually playing this fall. That doesn’t take away from the magnitude of Morris’ rise, though. The 6’5″ 320-pound Georgia native now seems in line to become Tennessee football’s next big star up front, and these rankings just further reinforce that fact.

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