Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can’t afford to lose in 2020

Hometown: Wetumpka, Ala.

There’s no doubt how much value Brandon Kennedy provides to Tennessee football. The 6’3″ 300-pound transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide joined the program Jeremy Pruitt’s first year and immediately stepped in as the starting center. However, he suffered a season-ending injury after the first game, and UT went on to have a historically bad offensive line.

Last year, Kennedy returned and resumed his starting role at center. As he got better at the position, the offensive line continued to get better. In the offseason, the graduate of Wetumpka High School in Alabama was given a sixth year of eligibility due to multiple injuries. Now, he’s back as the most experienced player on the team to anchor what could be an elite line.

Other players up front bring more hype and talent than Kennedy, but experience at center is an extremely valuable thing to have. Kennedy obviously brings it after spending six years in some form of a pro-style offense at an SEC level and starting every game last year. That alone puts his value above replacement much higher than most players.

However, beyond that, only Jerome Carvin has experience playing center at this level among returners. Sure, freshman Cooper Mays was also recruited as a center, but he is a freshman. As a result, Will Friend will have a tough time dealing with his rotation if Kennedy gets hurt. Jim Chaney needs him healthy for Jarrett Guarantano to be able to execute his passing attack.