Tennessee football’s top five candidates to replace Cade Mays at RT
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 6'5 315 lbs. 2. player. Senior. Jeremiah Crawford. 839
Josh Heupel’s only signee in 2021, Jeremiah Crawford was a rotational tackle for Tennessee football last year. He may be ready to take on a full-time role.
When Josh Heupel signed Jeremiah Crawford out of Butler Community College in Kansas last year, this was the exact reason why. He knew Tennessee football would need help at tackle in the near future, and now he’s got his guy to help out. Crawford is one guy who is guaranteed to be in the rotation somewhere at tackle this year.
The graduate of Goddard High School in Sedgwick County, Kan., actually had the highest PFF regular season grade last year of any offensive lineman who played at least 100 snaps. Taking that into account, it seems obvious that he should fill the void Cade Mays left at tackle.
Now, there’s one major issue. Crawford was backing up Darnell Wright at left tackle last year. As a result, moving him to right tackle may be a bit complex. On the other hand, there’s a chance he could do it. Wright could potentially be the guy to move over to right tackle as well, where he played before last year, meaning Crawford would step in at left tackle.
Either way, Crawford would be the new starter for the Vols on the line, and that’s why he makes the list, even if Wright does become the guy to replace Mays directly. Look for Crawford to see lots more action this year, and with two years left of experience, his potential is actually elite.