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Tennessee football’s 15 safest starting spots on 2022 roster in fall camp

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
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Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays during Tennessee football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays during Tennessee football practice on Thursday, April 22, 2021.Kns Ut Practice /

Pick Analysis. Center. Junior. 10. Scouting Report. Cooper Mays. player. 839

6’3″ 296 pounds

Staying on the offensive line, Cooper Mays is guaranteed a starting spot. However, these are guaranteed starting roles to begin the year, not a guarantee for players to finish in those starting roles. Mays won’t lose his job as Tennessee football’s starting center due to lack of production. It will be due to injury, as be battled those issues all last year.

What was clear when Mays was hurt, though, is that the Vols have no clear backup at center. They didn’t find one in the spring. If anything keeps him a bit down this list, it’s likely that the coaches will spend tons of time trying to develop somebody there in fall camp to make sure they are covered in case a repeat of last year happens.

Anyway, when healthy, the brother of Cooper Mays is an elite blocker and has All-SEC potential. He did play in eight games last year, and the Vols were generally better up front with him in the lineup. Fully healthy, he’s another reason for the hype behind the interior offensive line.

The good news for the Vols is Mays didn’t miss any of the final six games last year, including the last five coming off their bye, and he got better as the season went on. That makes his starting job pretty safe entering this year, as does the lack of depth at center.

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