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Tennessee football’s top 10 impact players for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel congratulates Tennessee Volunteers offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) during the first half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Darnell Wright. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Offensive lineman. Senior. 839. 6. player

6’6″ 335 pounds

This year’s version of Cade Mays, Darnell Wright is moving around to wherever he’s needed. Ironically, that involved Tennessee football moving him from left tackle back to right tackle to fill the void that Mays left, as Jeremiah Crawford and Gerald Mincey have been able to compete for the left tackle job. Dayne Davis is in there too.

Anyway, Wright, Cooper Mays and Jerome Carvin are the three best linemen on the Vols, but Wright is the superstar of those guys. He was a five-star for a reason. Injuries, changing positions and a changing system have limited his ability to thrive, but that should all be behind him now.

There’s a reason Wright is considered an All-SEC talent by most services despite his low PFF regular season grade last year. If he can stay in one spot and have stability around him, he would be among the most impossible blockers to get by in the conference. That’ll be crucial this year.

A huge part of Tennessee football’s passing game taking the next step is Hendon Hooker avoiding sacks. Most of that is on Hooker having a quicker release, but Wright has to do his part on the outside. He’s also crucial for the running game, as Mays was in that role last year, so as the anchor of an experienced line, he makes this list.

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