Tennessee football: Walk-on Connor Meadows could be key for OL depth in 2023 and beyond

Even with Cade Mays leaving, Tennessee football shouldn’t have any problems at offensive line in 2022. After all, K’Rojhn Calbert could use another year of eligibility, and Darnell Wright is likely back on the left side, so tackle is set regardless.

However, by 2023, depth could become a problem there. Addison Nichols is the only elite tackle committed long-term, and Maurice Clipper and Jeremiah Crawford are the only other players Josh Heupel signed specifically at the position. Even with Florida Gators transfer Gerald Mincey, more help is needed there.

Well, it looks like Tennessee football got more help at tackle for the future on Wednesday in the form of a preferred walk-on. Connor Meadows, out of Peabody High School in Trenton, Tenn., announced his decision to commit to the Vols on Twitter.

The product of Gibson County in West Tennessee had been committed to the UT Martin Skyhawks for over three months but decommitted to join Rocky Top. According to Ryan Callahan of GoVols247, he stands at 6’4″ 295 pounds.

With Meadows’ commitment, Josh Heupel should have enough bodies in 2023 to be able to come up with a two-deep rotation that year and beyond. Right now, they are already in position to go six-deep at that point.

Sure, two of those six guys are preferred walk-on commitments, but UT has shown an ability to get the best out of those guys. After all, one of the six is Dayne Davis, who worked his way into the starting rotation this past year. Given his size, Meadows could be another player who works his way into that rotation. Here is a look at his highlight reel.

As you can see, Meadows is a good run blocker despite lining up at tackle, and he is already familiar with a system based out of the shotgun. Those could be huge pluses for him playing under Heupel, and his vision and understanding of who to block is clearly there.

Concerns about the level of competition he has faced are obviously relevant, but that’s why he’s a guy who could develop for Tennessee football long-term. Obviously, he won’t be a starter or rotational player in likely the first three years, but he has the potential to provide a lot of help long-term, and that’s key.