Tennessee football: Surprises from Vols season-opening depth chart

2. Wanya Morris and Jahmir Johnson co-starters at left tackle

We know about Cade Mays’ situation, and Trey Smith and Brandon Kennedy are locked in on the interior. However, one shocking moment for Tennessee football’s depth chart was Wanya Morris being listed as a co-starter. Jeremy Banks as one was a shock because we didn’t expect his position to be that high up on the depth chart. For Morris, it’s the opposite.

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As a true freshman last year, Morris emerged as the Henry To’o To’o of the offense. He showed himself to have a bright future and to be the potential start of the offensive line, starting 12 of 13 games at left tackle. Despite Darnell Wright being a more highly touted recruit out of high school and both starting last year, Morris was the guy who showed the most promise.

What happened this year where Wright is locked in as the starting right tackle but Morris has to share the position as a co-starter with Jahmir Johnson? This may mean nothing, but Morris is a preseason All-SEC guy, so you would think that Jeremy Pruitt would be going all in on him. Maybe Jim Chaney and Will Friend no something nobody else knows, though.

By the way, to be fair, Johnson has proven himself to be a reliable blocker in the rotation. Morris, however, is a potential rising star. At 6’5″ 320 pounds, he seemed destined to build on his elite freshman campaign while playing the toughest position up front. He may still do that, but being a co-starter is a shock.