Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can least afford to lose for 2022

6’3″ 296 pounds

One of the reasons Jerome Carvin was on this list is because of his ability to play center for Tennessee football. However, he didn’t play it well last year when Cooper Mays was out. As a result, Cade Mays’ brother being the only proven center still on the roster makes him one of the most important offensive linemen.

This isn’t a Juwan Mitchell situation, as Mays actually finished the second half of the season back in the lineup. It’s pretty clear he should be ready to go this year, and because of that, we can just use what was on display last year without him to say he’s got to be healthy.

Assuming Carvin still didn’t take much of a step forward at center, there is nobody we know of who can play the role behind Mays. Newcomer Addison Nichols got some looks there back in the spring, and he brings a lot of hype as a freshman, but stepping in to play that role would be difficult given his lack of experience.

The only other player who actually seems to have any experience the position is Parker Ball, and he’s a walk-on. It’s possible somebody else emerges, but this is a very thin spot, and given how often Josh Heupel relies on shotgun, it could create a major problem.