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Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should redshirt for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) celebrates Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman's (85) touchdown during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0625
Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) celebrates Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman's (85) touchdown during a game between University of Tennessee and Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.Utvschattanooga0914 0625 /
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Choctawhatchee’s Brian Grant speaks during a signing ceremony Wednesday where he committed to play football for the University of Tennessee.Brian Grant 1762
Choctawhatchee’s Brian Grant speaks during a signing ceremony Wednesday where he committed to play football for the University of Tennessee.Brian Grant 1762 /

Offensive lineman. Brian Grant. 839. Scouting Report. Freshman. 6. player. Pick Analysis

There’s enough depth on the offensive line that freshmen like Brian Grant who didn’t stand out for Tennessee football need a redshirt to develop.

We’re back to offensive linemen. Brian Grant was an early enrollee to Tennessee football out of the Florida Panhandle, from Okaloosa County specifically. The 6’7″ 290-pound graduate of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is expected to immediately provide depth at offensive tackle, but it’s going to take some time before he does that.

As a three-star across the board, Grant didn’t come in with high ratings. More importantly, he didn’t stand out in the spring. Addison Nichols was the only true freshman on the offensive line whose name popped up when coaches were speaking. It’s clear they have bigger plans for him.

Grant, though, probably needs to develop some. The emergence of Nichols alone likely create some competition for him. As a result, taking a redshirt this year would position him well to compete to be in the rotation next year with three seniors at tackle.

Of course, then there’s Grant’s size. Now, maybe in Josh Heupel’s system, this isn’t as crucial, but it’s not ideal for a tackle in the SEC to be under 300 pounds, especially given his height. As a result, Tennessee football probably needs him to get bigger before he can become a regular contributor at the position.

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