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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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Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Returning starters at OL

Darnell Wright 

  • 6’6″ 335 pounds
  • Senior
  • Huntington, W. Va. (Huntington High School)

Last year, Darnell Wright moved from right tackle to left tackle, and he also had to learn a new system. That created some bumps in the road for a while, but with him more settled in now, he could be primed to be Tennessee football’s superstar blocker this year.

Jerome Carvin

  • 6’5″ 321 pounds
  • Senior (Graduate)
  • Memphis, Tenn. (Cordova High School)

Having to split time at center and left guard due to injuries hurt Jerome Carvin’s stock, but if he stays locked in at left guard, he will be a huge asset. His decision to return for his graduate senior year, taking advantage of the COVID eligibility ruling, is huge for the Vols.

Javontez Spraggins

  • 6’3″ 325 pounds
  • Junior
  • East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis High School)

It honestly was out of the blue how Javontez Spraggins was able to take over at right guard for the Vols last year, but he did it. Now, as a regular starter, he should once again be one of the most reliable blockers on the team, so he’ll resume that role.

Cooper Mays

  • 6’3″ 296 pounds
  • Junior
  • Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic High School)

When healthy, Cooper Mays could be the best blocker of this group. He’s the starting center, and UT had nobody behind him. However, he battled injuries all last year, and it did cause problems. If he can stay on the field, he’ll be a star this year.

Ollie Lane

  • 6’4″ 325 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Corryton, Tenn. (Gibbs High School)

You always have a utility offensive lineman to fill in for injuries and help reshuffle the board, and Ollie Lane was that last year. As a result, he was effectively a starter mostly filling in for Jerome Carvin at left guard so Carvin could move to center and help out Mays. Lane will have the same role this year with Tennessee football as an interior lineman.

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