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Tennessee football’s five 2022 signees most likely to play early

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee mascot Smokey on the sidelines during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green
Tennessee mascot Smokey on the sidelines during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /
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Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Addison Nichols. 839. Offensive lineman. Norcross, Ga.. 2. player

Greater Atlanta Christian School

Cade Mays’ departure leaves a gaping hole on Tennessee football’s offensive line, even with everybody else in tact. K’Rojhn Calbert, who was hurt for most of this year, could have filled that void at right tackle, but he has since transferred. That leaves the right tackle spot wide open heading into the 2022 season.

Dayne Davis could fill it, but he seems like more of a rotational guy. Jeremiah Crawford, Josh Heupel’s only signee in the 2021 class, spent most of his time backing up Darnell Wright at left tackle. That means multiple guys could compete on the other side. Returning guys William Parker and Amari McNeill are in that camp, as are 2022 signees Brian Grant and Maurice Clipper.

Addison Nichols is the biggest star of the 2022 signees, though. Although he and Clipper are both early enrollees who have four-star ratings, Clipper is only a four-star on ESPN and a three-star everywhere else. Grant is a three-star everywhere else as well. Nichols, meanwhile, is a four-star across the board.

In fact, Nichols is probably the Vols’ highest-rated composite recruit. The product of Georgia’s    Gwinnett County stands at 6’5″ and weighs in the range of 300 to 320 pounds. He will likely be ready to step in and compete immediately, and even if he doesn’t start, Glen Elarbee will likely make him a rotational player for Tennessee football.

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