Tennessee football: The biggest question on the Vols' depth chart

The Tennessee Volunteers are a team with high hopes in 2023 after a tremendous season a year ago. However, like any team, they must find a way to fill some holes and answer some questions on their roster. The Vols' depth chart for the season opener against Virginia was released earlier in the week, and […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Aug 30, 2023 1:31 PM EDT

The Vols' depth chart for the season opener against Virginia was released earlier in the week, and it appears some of those questions have not yet been answered definitively at a very important area – the offensive line.

Out of all areas on the offense, the offensive line was the one with the most questions to be answered entering 2023. RT Darnell Wright, the Bears' first round pick, had a magnificent season in 2022, shutting down Alabama's Will Anderson, Jr. and Florida's Brenton Cox, Jr. in Tennessee's thrilling wins over the Tide and the Gators. Jerome Carvin was also solid at left guard. Both are gone, leaving big shoes to fill.

And, from the depth chart, it looks like their replacements are still being determined. The word "or" is seen at three positions on the line, and in one case – at left guard – it's used twice. Andrej Kuric, a transfer from Texas, started at left guard in the spring game, but he will still have to earn it under the bright lights starting this weekend.

The Vols could get a look at Ollie Lane – a candidate at left guard – at center on Saturday, as the availability of starter Cooper Mays, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, was left cloudy by Josh Heupel this week. Dayne Davis is also a backup option at center should Mays not be able to go.

“Cooper, we’ll find out here as the week goes on, his availability in this one,” Heupel said on Monday. “We’ve had two and a half, three weeks of different guys having an opportunity to play on the interior if he’s not able to go. Feel really confident in those guys.”

Both tackle spots are also still apparently undecided. The most surprising is at left tackle, where it appeared Miami transfer John Campbell was the front runner for the starting job. He might still be, but he hasn't yet officially won it outright. His performance against Virginia could go a long way towards solidifying perhaps the most important position on the line – protecting Joe Milton's blind side. Jeremiah Crawford, who rotated with Gerald Mincey at left tackle last year, is listed as a co-starter with Davis at right tackle.

As such, a lot of uncertainty remains among UT's offensive line. That also means there's a world of opportunity for a number of players looking to lay claim to playing time in what should again be an exciting and productive Tennessee offense.