Tennessee football: Top 10 dark horse Vols for 2021 season
Dayne Davis. 4. player. Redshirt sophomore. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive lineman
6’7″ 325 pounds; Hometown: Bluff City, Tenn.
There is more coverage for Dayne Davis than a lot of other guys on this list, which is why he could actually be another breakout player. The former walk-on out of Sullivan East High School earned a scholarship last year and then emerged as one of the top blockers for Tennessee football on the outside during spring practice, making the most of his opportunity.
Now, there’s a major opening at tackle. The Vols already were wide open there with Wanya Morris transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners and Jahmir Johnson transferring to the Texas A&M Aggies. However, K’Rojhn Calbert suffering an injury that could keep him out for up to two months leaves the position thinner than ever, and it’s hard to know what Josh Heupel will do.
What makes it clear, though, is that Davis will become a rotational player. Heck, he has a chance of even starting. He’ll have to compete with Jeremiah Crawford and even Javontez Spraggins, who we already listed, because if Spraggins emerges at guard, Cade Mays will move to the outside.
Right now, though, Darnell Wright is the only proven tackle. Davis could become a reliable blocker on the outside for the Vols, and that’s why he’s a dark horse candidate. There are a lot more factors working in his favor to break out, though.