One of the Tennessee Vols' most important players confirms he's returning in 2023
One of the Tennessee Vols' most important players confirmed this week that he's returning for the 2023 season. Junior offensive lineman Cooper Mays told Off the Hook Sports' Dave Hooker this week that he's planning to return for his senior season. According to Hooker, Mays has told the coaching staff that he plans to return […]
One of the Tennessee Vols' most important players confirmed this week that he's returning for the 2023 season.
Junior offensive lineman Cooper Mays told Off the Hook Sports' Dave Hooker this week that he's planning to return for his senior season.
According to Hooker, Mays has told the coaching staff that he plans to return in 2023.
"Honestly, just going over it with my family and kind of just looking over it, I think I've got unfinished business here," said Mays.
"I just want to go back into another year here and get better and get everyone around me better," added Mays. "We're really excited about what's going on here."
Mays has started 22 games at center for the Vols since arriving in 2020. He started every game at center in 2022.
Center is easily one of the most important positions on the field for any college football program — no one touched the ball for the Vols more than Mays this season.
The expectation was always that Mays would return for his senior season. But we've seen plenty of players in the past who were expected to stay that end up declaring for the draft. Getting Mays back will be key for the offense in 2023 — especially with starting offensive linemen Darnell Wright and Jerome Carvin moving on to the NFL.
Tennessee has one of the best offensive line coaches in the business in Glen Elarbee, but his job will certainly be a lot easier next season with Mays returning.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
