It's been mostly smooth sailing for the Tennessee Vols during the offseason. 

Tennessee hasn't dealt with any major drama this offseason. And they didn't deal with a lot of turnover on their coaching staff (offensive coordinator Alex Golesh was the only departure). 

The Vols have also mostly avoided injuries. The only significant absence that Tennessee is dealing with right now is center Cooper Mays, who is questionable for the season-opener against Virginia after undergoing an upper body procedure during fall camp. 

Mays is one of Tennessee's most important players — he's essentially the leader of the offensive line. 

Fortunately for the Vols, it sounds like Mays will return sooner rather than later. And the issue/injury that's kept him out isn't expected to linger during the season. 

Still, it's less than ideal for Tennessee to have one of their most important players sidelined this close to the start of the season. 

Vols head coach Josh Heupel, however, is trying to find the silver lining. 

Heupel made his season debut on Vol Calls on Wednesday night in a prerecorded segment. And he was asked about Mays and the impact his absence has had on the offensive line. 

While Heupel acknowledged that Tennessee has missed Mays during camp, he also pointed out that it's helped the Vols build some depth along the offensive line, which in turn makes UT a better team. 

“Inevitably, up front, something typically happens during the course of the season," explained Heupel. "So as coaches, you’re always trying to shuffle and maneuver pieces so that you have enough flexibility when the season comes. We hate that Coop missed a portion of training camp. At the same time, that also helped us. Forced us to move some pieces around. [In the] long run, that’s going to make us better.”

Heupel's absolutely right. It's unfortunate that Mays has had to miss time, but it's allowed players who needed extra reps — or reps with the ones — to get those important reps.

If the Vols are going to make a run in the SEC East this fall, they'll need their depth players to step up in a big way — especially late in the season. Those extra reps in August for interior offensive linemen like Addison Nichols, Andrej Karic, and Jackson Lampley could pay off in a big way later in the season for the Volunteers. 

Former Oklahoma player tells unbelievable story about Josh Heupel’s toughness and leadership as a player

A former Oklahoma player told an unbelievable story about Josh Heupel’s toughness and leadership as a player

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