Ranking Tennessee football’s early enrollees for 2022 by potential impact
![Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1166 Tennessee defensive lineman Tyre West participates in a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1166](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/22e5104d2484f7bb1fa9d601548911a041f0b4825a9869586514b84ee2b8a30c.jpg)
4. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive lineman. Atlanta, Ga.. Addison Nichols. 839
6’5″ 318 pounds
Back to offensive line, nobody has a greater chance as an early enrollee to fill that right tackle role than Addison Nichols. He and Jeremiah Crawford are both likely to be in competition for it along with Dayne Davis, who occupied it as a reserve last year for Tennessee football. These three are what keeps out Brian Grant.
Nichols, a graduate of Greater Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, Ga., is one fo the Vols’ most highly touted recruits. He was a four-star across the board out of Georgia’s Gwinnett County, and he already has the proper size to be able to start on the line in the SEC.
Most notably, despite being recruited as an offensive tackle, where he excels, Nichols has experience playing on the inside, particularly at center. That versatility combined with his projected talent put him high on this list. Sure, Mo Clipper Jr. had versatility, but he was clearly more of a guard who could develop into a tackle.
In this case, Nichols is a tackle who could develop into a guard, and that will allow for him to use his primary skills set to compete for one of the open spots on the depth chart while also getting the chance to address depth needs elsewhere. It’s the perfect situation for a young early enrollee like him.