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Tennessee football: Ranking every starter from 2020 who returned by performance in 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
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Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877
Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays (68) points to fans while celebrating after an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42.Tennvskentucky1106 2877 /

Offensive lineman. Cade Mays. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Senior. 5

6’6″ 325 pounds

None of the issues on Tennessee football’s offensive line this past year were due to Cade Mays. The guy started every game this year and was forced to move over to right tackle with Darnell Wright moving over to left tackle. It was even more complicated for him, as he had been starting on interior the previous few years.

In his new role, Mays allowed just one sack all season. There’s a reason he was once a five-star recruit, and in what ended up being his final year playing college ball, he earned second team All-SEC while having to adjust to a completely new system. Twice this year he was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Mays’ PFF grade of 73.4 was among the best on either side of the ball. He’s the one offensive lineman leaving and by far the one the Vols could have used the most next year. That’s one major concern for them going forward as they try to take another step in Josh Heupel’s offense.

Although Hendon Hooker got sacked a lot, he also made a lot of big plays running with the ball, and many of them wouldn’t have been possible had Mays not been doing his job up front. His transfer from the Georgia Bulldogs worked out on that front.

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