Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: OL

Biggest questions

1. Who replaces Cade Mays at right tackle?

This is the biggest question that Glen Elarbee has to figure out. Tennessee football has a lot of options at right tackle, but nobody appears to have stood out yet. Dayne Davis and Jeremiah Crawford seem like the leading candidates, but there are tons of other guys.

2. Has anybody emerged to back up Cooper Mays at center?

Last year, Jerome Carvin struggled severely having to move over to center. Lots of players got looks there in spring ball, but nobody has taken that leap. Addison Nichols seems like the best choice for now. If Cooper Mays has injury issues again, Elarbee can’t afford to have a repeat of 2021, so he’s got to figure this out.

3. How much has Darnell Wright developed on the left side?

For most of his career, Darnell Wright has been a solid blocker with the Vols. However, playing the most important position with a quarterback who likes to extend plays, now is his best chance to show what he’s got. He was once a five-star, and this should be the year where he emerges into a superstar blocker for the Vols. Can he do it? Time will tell.

Final take

Despite the loss of Mays, Tennessee football is in great shape on the offensive line. Josh Heupel added five scholarship players there in the offseason, and six of the seven main contributors from last year’s team are back. As a result, this unit should be loaded.

If Cooper Mays can stay healthy, the Vols could be extremely effective, as that’s what makes their running game go. They have so many options at right tackle that somebody is bound to step up, so the only real question becomes Mays’ health and if somebody can back him up.