Tennessee football’s top five candidates to replace Cade Mays at RT
One of the biggest voids for Tennessee football to fill in 2022 is the one Cade Mays left at right tackle. Mays was the most versatile offensive lineman on the team last year, and when Josh Heupel arrived, he was moved over to right tackle specifically because of the lack of depth at that spot on the line in particular.
Now, Mays has gone on to the NFL, and the Vols need to find a replacement. They are locked in at all other spots on the line in terms of returning talent, but this spot is a huge need. Although Heupel, Glen Elarbee and Alex Golesh began the work to find a replacement in spring ball, it wont’ be done until the fall.
Perhaps it will be a by-committee approach. What’s clear is Tennessee football has a solid collection of newcomers and returning talent to help address this issue. Let’s break down the players who have the best chance to replace Mays this year as the starter on that side.
These are the five Tennessee football Volunteers who could take over at right tackle.
Pick Analysis. Junior. player. Scouting Report. 6'4.5 325 lbs. Savion Herring. 5. 839
A late junior college addition, Savion Herring brings plenty of experience at playing tackle to Tennessee football.
He was a late signee to the Vols out of Monroe College in New York’s Westchester County. Before junior college in New Rochelle, N.Y., Savion Herring attended Iowa Central Community College in Dodge City, Iowa, and he initially hails from New Jersey. As a result, he’s been a lot of places, but this is his first time in the South.
The graduate of Irvington High School in Essex County, N.J., wouldn’t have chosen the Vols if Josh Heupel didn’t give off the vibe that there was an immediate need for him. That likely means he’s going to see some action early for Rocky Top at tackle.
If that’s the case, he’s automatically in the rotation to become the starting right tackle, as that race remains wide open. Herring has been playing college ball since 2018, so he has plenty of experience at this level too. As a result, despite being a summer enrollee, Tennessee football may see lots of him in the fall.