The Tennessee Vols player who might be the most underrated player in the nation
Plenty of Tennessee Vols players have been receiving a lot of deserved attention this season. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy and Jalin Hyatt appears to be the best wide receiver in the nation. There's one Vols player, however, that isn't receiving nearly enough attention. Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell […]
Plenty of Tennessee Vols players have been receiving a lot of deserved attention this season.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy and Jalin Hyatt appears to be the best wide receiver in the nation.
There's one Vols player, however, that isn't receiving nearly enough attention.
Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright, the Vols' starting right tackle, might be the most underrated player in the nation.
Wright, a former five-star recruit who signed with Tennessee during the 2019 recruiting cycle, has played at an extremely high level this season. In fact, he's being projected in numerous NFL mock drafts as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
But outside of those mock drafts, it seems like Wright hasn't received nearly enough praise for his high level of play.
Against Alabama, Wright essentially shut down Crimson Tide edge rusher Will Anderson, a player who should be a top-five selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic, a former Auburn offensive lineman, and Mike Golic Jr, a former Notre Dame offensive lineman, are two of the only national media members that have singled out Wright for his impressive play this season (of course it would be former offensive linemen noticing Wright).
Wright straight-up bullies outside linebacker Chris Braswell, a former five-star recruit, in the clip that Cubelic tweeted.
Offensive linemen are kind of like referees — you don't really notice them until they screw up. It feels like Wright's name has barely been mentioned during broadcasts. But that's because he's quietly doing his job and keeping the pocket clean for Hooker and paving the way for UT's running backs.
It's been a while since the offensive line was a strength for the Vols. But that's the case this season. Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has done a terrific job of developing a group of players that he mostly inherited.
Wright is the anchor of that offensive line and he certainly deserves more attention for the tremendous job he's done so far this season. It won't be long before he's playing a key role for an NFL team on Sundays.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
