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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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Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Junior. Darnell Wright. 10. Scouting Report. Offensive lineman. 839. Pick Analysis. player

6’6″ 335 pounds

Over the last four games, Darnell Wright improved dramatically. He didn’t allow a sack during that time and really settled into his left tackle role, a hard job given the fact that he was blocking for a mobile quarterback in Hendon Hooker who won’t always get rid of the ball in time. He could become a star for Tennessee football next year.

However, we have to take the totality of the season into account. Wright had a PFF regular season grade of 59.5, which wasn’t good. Also, he had a hand in UT being No. 122 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed per game. Those two things alone work against him.

Of course, Wright had to move over to left tackle unexpectedly this year. He started at right tackle in 2019 and 2020, but the transfer of Wanya Morris forced coaches to make a change. Switching positions combined with adjusting to the spread was naturally going to make him struggle early and through the middle of the season at times.

With Wright more settled in, the future for him should be bright next year. However, this year, he has to be in the bottom half of returning contributors. The sack count of the Vols and his own PFF score speak for themselves.

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