‘Absolutely the most physical dude since I’ve been here’ — Tennessee coach gives one Vols offensive lineman the ultimate hat tip
Tennessee has a physical specimen in its offensive lineman room this year.
The Tennessee Vols have had a number of outstanding offensive linemen come through Knoxville under the tutelage of offensive line coach Glen Elarbee. From Darnell Wright to Cooper Mays to now David Sanders, Jr., Tennessee has had some good ones cycle through.
Naturally, when it comes to offensive line play, physicality and attitude are crucial parts of all five spots on the line. Being able to crash with 280-300-pound men 50-60 times a night requires a level of toughness that not many people have.
And the most physical that Elarbee has seen at UT? Well, according to him, at least, he’s in the Vols’ offensive line room right now.
Elarbee addressed the media on Tuesday, and he says that West Virginia transfer OL Donovan Haslam gets that honor.
Vols OL coach Glen Elarbee says West Virginia transfer Donovan Haslam is the most physical player he’s coached at Tennessee
“Absolutely the most physical dude since I’ve been here,” Elarbee said. “Not even a question. He’s violent. Like, violent. That’s his superpower. He’s a little bit heavy and he gets tired, doesn’t move the way he should, he knows that and he’s got to get that right. If you were building a superhero squad, he would be the violent and powerful one and the guys love seeing that. They love when he’s starting to understand that mentally and he’s able to do things technique-wise that everyone cheers for him in the room. It’s cool to see.”
Wow, that’s pretty high praise. There’s no doubt that Haslam has the frame to be a true trench bully. At 6-3, 350 pounds, he’s an absolute load of a human being. Add in a toughness and physical playing style, and the fifth-year senior certainly has the body and mindset of being a true people mover.
Haslam appeared in 10 games for the Mountaineers last season, starting five games. He logged 444 offensive snaps at left guard and did not allow a sack or quarterback pressure.
It’s unlikely that Haslam earns a starting job, with Jesse Perry and Wendell Moe, Jr. the likely starting guard candidates and Sam Pendleton at center, but you never know when your number will be called. And it sounds like Haslam won’t have any hesitation about taking the fight to his opponent in the trenches when it is.
