Hometown: Grayson, Ga.
Last year, Wanya Morris was the breakout freshman for Tennessee football. In the process, he earned Freshman All-SEC, Freshman All-American honors by some services, and settled in as the starting left tackle for Jarrett Guarantano. So he’s playing the most difficult position on the line, and he proved himself there as a true freshman with 12 starts.
Now, Morris should take a huge leap forward. He’s one of five preseason All-SEC players on the Vols, and he’s a big reason the offensive line has so much hype. Although Darnell Wright, another true freshman who started at tackle last year, had a higher rating than Morris on the recruiting trail and has more potential, Morris is the better player right now.
Heading into this year, the nature of playing left tackle has us still projecting him to be the better player. The 6’5″ 320-pound graduate of Grayson High School in Georgia may have benefitted from being an early enrollee, but he showed versatility along with an ability to play left tackle. The Vols were in the top half of the league last year in fewest sacks allowed, and that matters.
Although Jahmir Johnson is an experienced blocker and solid rotation who could see time here, Morris is the future star of the line. All the focus will be on the interior this year, but Morris is the guy to watch out for. He’s here at least this year and next year, and while lots of freshmen stood out last year, few did more so than Morris.