dduncan4163
Have at it Hoss
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2006
- Messages
- 23,397
- Likes
- 51,786
Tennessee Football: The Vols' Biggest Position Battles Heading into Fall Camp | Bleacher Report
Left Tackle
Credit: 247Sports
Perhaps the most important spot that is unsettled for Tennessee would answer the question, "Who is going to guard quarterback Joshua Dobbs' blind side?"
Yes, Dobbs can ease a bunch of worries by sliding out of the pocket and making things happen with his freelancing feet, but that doesn't mean the Vols can afford a huge revolving door at left tackle.
They've got to replace departed senior Kyler Kerbyson, who went from being a Swiss Army knife utility player throughout his career to solidifying the important spot during his final season at UT.
The top candidate to take over his spot at left tackle appears to be redshirt freshman Drew Richmond, one of the biggest recruiting victories of Jones' tenure.
He got the 6'5", 301-pound offensive tackle to flip from Ole Miss on national signing day 2015, relieving a concern as the Vols desperately needed a franchise tackle.
The nation's second-ranked tackle, coming out of Memphis University School, would have been a massive in-state loss, but Jones got him to come to Knoxville. Though Richmond wasn't ready to make an impact right away, he began to show some promise this spring.
"We're continuing to work on those options," Jones told GoVols247's Wes Rucker in regard to his tackle battles. "Obviously Drew Richmond, we've been very encouraged by his development. He continues to be a student of the game, and his body has changed a lot. So you have that option."
At SEC media days, Richmond was one of the two players UT senior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin singled out for carrying the momentum into the offseason too, and JRM isn't normally one to heap hyperbole.
All that is terrific news for the Vols if it holds up.
Beyond Richmond, you have to believe if Chance Hallwho also missed spring with a shoulder injuryis healthy, he will be a starter at one of the spots. Last year, he held down the gig at right tackle, and he could do that this year if Richmond rises to the challenge on the left.
But somebody who shouldn't be counted out is redshirt junior Brett Kendrick, who had a fantastic spring, subbing for Hall while Richmond learned the left side. If Richmond struggles early on, Hall could shift to the left and Kendrick would be more than solid at right tackle.
The Vols have so many quality guards and depth on the interior it would be possible for somebody such as Jashon Robertson to slide outside if needed.
UT has plenty of good options, and the Vols won't suffer at a spot as important at left tackle. They'd love for Richmond to live up to his recruiting rating and make this easy, but if he doesn't, others could step in.
Of all the battles LT is by far the biggest imo. Drew Richmond looks the part and has all the talent in the world to lock down the blindside for the next 3 or 4 years but we won't know for sure till the bullets start flying. If he plays to his potential expect Dobbs to light it up with his arm at times this season.
Go Vols
Left Tackle
Perhaps the most important spot that is unsettled for Tennessee would answer the question, "Who is going to guard quarterback Joshua Dobbs' blind side?"
Yes, Dobbs can ease a bunch of worries by sliding out of the pocket and making things happen with his freelancing feet, but that doesn't mean the Vols can afford a huge revolving door at left tackle.
They've got to replace departed senior Kyler Kerbyson, who went from being a Swiss Army knife utility player throughout his career to solidifying the important spot during his final season at UT.
The top candidate to take over his spot at left tackle appears to be redshirt freshman Drew Richmond, one of the biggest recruiting victories of Jones' tenure.
He got the 6'5", 301-pound offensive tackle to flip from Ole Miss on national signing day 2015, relieving a concern as the Vols desperately needed a franchise tackle.
The nation's second-ranked tackle, coming out of Memphis University School, would have been a massive in-state loss, but Jones got him to come to Knoxville. Though Richmond wasn't ready to make an impact right away, he began to show some promise this spring.
"We're continuing to work on those options," Jones told GoVols247's Wes Rucker in regard to his tackle battles. "Obviously Drew Richmond, we've been very encouraged by his development. He continues to be a student of the game, and his body has changed a lot. So you have that option."
At SEC media days, Richmond was one of the two players UT senior linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin singled out for carrying the momentum into the offseason too, and JRM isn't normally one to heap hyperbole.
All that is terrific news for the Vols if it holds up.
Beyond Richmond, you have to believe if Chance Hallwho also missed spring with a shoulder injuryis healthy, he will be a starter at one of the spots. Last year, he held down the gig at right tackle, and he could do that this year if Richmond rises to the challenge on the left.
But somebody who shouldn't be counted out is redshirt junior Brett Kendrick, who had a fantastic spring, subbing for Hall while Richmond learned the left side. If Richmond struggles early on, Hall could shift to the left and Kendrick would be more than solid at right tackle.
The Vols have so many quality guards and depth on the interior it would be possible for somebody such as Jashon Robertson to slide outside if needed.
UT has plenty of good options, and the Vols won't suffer at a spot as important at left tackle. They'd love for Richmond to live up to his recruiting rating and make this easy, but if he doesn't, others could step in.
Of all the battles LT is by far the biggest imo. Drew Richmond looks the part and has all the talent in the world to lock down the blindside for the next 3 or 4 years but we won't know for sure till the bullets start flying. If he plays to his potential expect Dobbs to light it up with his arm at times this season.
Go Vols
Last edited:
