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Tennessee football: Top five non-SEC stars Vols have to face in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers assistant head coach Charlie Partridge (right) talks with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) against the New Hampshire Wildcats during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Mattan Hatchie

Offensive lineman | UT-Martin Skyhawks

6’2″ 310 pounds

Yes, believe it or not, one of the best players Tennessee football faces this year is an offensive lineman for an FCS school. Usually, the trenches are where FCS schools are the weakest. However, that’s not the case with the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. There’s a reason they won the Ohio Valley Conference last year and had their best season ever in FCS play.

Entering this year, they are by far the best FCS team the Vols have faced in years. A huge part of that is what they have up front. Mattan Hatchie transferred to UT-Martin from Garden City Community College in 2020 and earned All-OVC Second Team his first year.

In 2021, Hatchie built on his breakthrough first-year by playing mostly at center and became an FCS All-American. With him as the anchor, UT-Martin was top 10 in fewest sacks allowed and averaged over 200 rushing yards a game. There’s a reason they took a huge step forward.

Given the Vols’ questions on the defensive line this year, don’t underestimate what Hatchie blocking on the interior can do to them. He could make things tough, even if you consider UT-Martin an easy victory. An offensive lineman on this list is rare, and an FCS player on this list is rare. Hatchie is both but still got on here, which speaks to his talent.

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