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Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: OL

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins (76) blows a kiss to fans after a touchdown by Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins (76) blows a kiss to fans after a touchdown by Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Despite Josh Heupel’s tempo-based spread offense that makes superstars out of quarterbacks and receivers, everything still starts up front. Tennessee football has a quarterback who likes to extend plays, so blocking is even more crucial, but the simple nature of Heupel wanting to run to set up the pass is also key.

Taking that into account, it’s a huge deal for the Vols to have four of their five starters back on the offensive line. They did lose some talent, including multiple guys they could still use, but they pretty much kept their rotation from last year in tact except for one huge spot.

Our preview of the Vols’ blockers heading into 2022 will take into account that one big void but also break down the potential of everybody else here on the roster. As always, we’ll have slides for starters returning, backups returning, newcomers and then biggest questions and a final take, but we’ll start with who Tennessee football is losing.

Tennessee offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Cade Mays (68) meet with family after 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 offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Cade Mays (68) meet with family after the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /

Who’s gone?

Starters

Cade Mays

By far the best and most versatile lineman for the Vols last year, Cade Mays graduated and opted not to take advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling. He was subsequently drafted by the Carolina Panthers and leaves a huge void for the Vols to fill at right tackle this year.

Backups

K’Rojhn Calbert

Before Cade Mays, K’Rojhn Calbert had emerged as a reliable blocker for the Vols, appearing in 32 games from 2018 to 2020, and after battling injuries in 2021, he could have been in line to replace Mays. However, he transferred to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, so the void still exists.

Chris Akporoghene

A highly touted member of the 2019 recruiting class, Chris Akporoghene appeared in just six games in 2019 and 2020 total. He has since transferred to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

James Robinson

After committing as a project in 2020, James Robinson took a redshirt and played just one game in 2021. He then entered the transfer portal and joined the South Alabama Jaguars.

Nick Edwards

The only walk-on here, Nick Edward saw no action with Tennessee football. He transferred to the UT Martin Skyhawks.

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