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Ranking Tennessee football’s position units for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football /

7. Offensive line

If everybody is able to stay at their position, this unit moves way up. Tennessee football mostly needs Cooper Mays healthy at center. Last year, the Vols didn’t have a true backup center, and Mays missed half the year, forcing them to move left guard Jerome Carvin there even though it’s not Carvin’s natural position.

This created issues, and the concerns about a backup center help move this unit down the list. Beyond that, though, Cade Mays being gone after spending last year at right tackle is a concern as well. Darnell Wright is set to move back over to right tackle, where he is much better, but that leaves a major opening at left tackle to address.

Simply put, there are numerous problems. Javontez Spraggins at right guard, Ollie Lane as a reliable rotational lineman, the addition of Florida Gators transfer Gerald Mincey and a litany of newcomers and guys waiting in the wings should still keep this unit deep. They have potential.

However, that potential hasn’t manifested itself enough yet. Glen Elarbee has a rotation he needs to work out, and five of the six returning rotational players, including Dayne Davis, had PFF regular season grades under 60 last year. Only Spraggins was above it.

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