Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can least afford to lose for 2022
2. player. Scouting Report. Darnell Wright. Offensive lineman. Senior. 839. Pick Analysis
6’6″ 335 pounds
Like Jerome Carvin, Darnell Wright is just on here for his ability. Tennessee football is using him the way it used Cade Mays last year, to fill any void that needed. Wright moved over to left tackle last year because of the departure of Wanya Morris. This year, however, he’s moving back over to right tackle because of the departure of Mays.
There’s a reason Wright brings a ton of preseason All-SEC, and in some cases All-American hype on the line. He was once a five-star, and he has started every season since arriving at UT in 2019. He’s moving over to right tackle because Dayne Davis, Jeremiah Crawford and Gerald Mincey can compete for the starting left tackle role.
What’s clear, though, is none of those guys bring what Wright brings to the table. Mincey probably has the most potential, but even he’s not there. As a result, losing Wright would be a huge drop-off, even if he has moved to what could be perceived as the less important side.
That decision could be because Heupel wants Wright to play permanently and likes the idea of a rotation among the other guys. Well, if Wright goes down, that rotation shrinks. Simply put, Tennessee football desperately needs Wright to be healthy this year.