Tennessee football: Five takeaways from 2021 spring game

4. Offensive line wins trenches

Was this due to trying to protect the defense, or is it indicative of what’s to come? Honestly, we have no way of knowing. However, what’s clear is that Tennessee football was much better in the trenches on offense in Josh Heupel’s first spring game than on defense.

Both teams had a combined one sack on the day. Each team had one tackle for a loss, with Morven Joseph, Nick Humphrey, Kurott Garland and Tyler Baron all coming away with half a sack. That’s not what you want coming out of your defense if you’re going to win games in the SEC. At the same time, it’s exactly what you want coming out of your offense.

As a team, the Vols averaged just under five yards a carry, and that includes sacks and tackles for a loss. Jabari Small was the standout running back with two touchdown runs, Fred Orr averaged over eight yards a carry, and Jaylen Wright had a touchdown run as well.

There’s plenty of credit to go around up front for that rushing attack, especially on the offensive line. We’re still not sure exactly what the rotation will be, although Dayne Davis, the Mays brothers, Darnell Wright, Jerome Carvin, K’Rojhn Calber and Javontez Spraggins were the standout names. They all won the battles up front Saturday.