Five things for Tennessee football to address between now and National Signing Day
1. Upgrading the talent on the offensive line
Landing transfer offensive lineman Gerald Mincey was a huge deal for Tennessee football. Josh Heupel has made sure the Vols will remain deep at the position in the near future, and that always needed to be a priority given the way he relies on the running game to take off.
Related Story. Early signing day: The good, the bad, the unexpected. light
However, now he just needs to add more talent. Three offensive linemen are committed to this class: Masai Reddick, Maurice Clipper and Addison Nichols. Of the three, Nichols is the star. He’s probably the Vols’ best recruit, a four-star across the board, and there’s a chance Heupel will be able to plug him in pretty early.
Given what they are about to lose, though, the Vols need even more talent. Reddick is a three-star across the board, and while Clipper is a four-star on ESPN, he is a three-star on 247 Sports and Rivals. Again, this is solid and will do what it needs to do, but Heupel needs it to be better.
Next. Bowl game rooting guide: Vols' path to top 25. dark
Cade Mays is likely gone. Jerome Carvin will be gone next year, and honestly, Darnell Wright could be gone too. K’Rojhn Calbert may be gone this year but will certainly be gone next year. Tennessee football needs not just bodies but talent to replenish that, and if Heupel doesn’t get it in the transfer portal, he’ll need to add another top-notch offensive lineman in this class.