'He does a great job of trying to get guys to go eat dinner outside the facility' – Vols transfer addition is big for UT's culture
It hasn't taken long for Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Sam Pendleton to emerge as a leader in UT's offensive line room. Pendleton, who transferred to Tennessee earlier this offseason after spending the first two seasons of his career at Notre Dame, was praised by Vols offensive line coach Glen Elarbee this past weekend for the […]
It hasn't taken long for Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Sam Pendleton to emerge as a leader in UT's offensive line room.
Pendleton, who transferred to Tennessee earlier this offseason after spending the first two seasons of his career at Notre Dame, was praised by Vols offensive line coach Glen Elarbee this past weekend for the way he's helped "unite" UT's offensive line room since his arrival in Knoxville.
"Sam has helped one, off the field, kind of unite the room," said Elarbee this past weekend. "He does a great job of trying to get guys to go eat dinner outside the facility, go play golf outside the facility, do things together. And then he is highly, highly intelligent playing guard and center. There’s been some in MAs (missed assignments) just because those are the two toughest positions when you transfer in and he knows it, we’ve talked about it.
"But man, he grinds it every single day. He has a great attitude. He has just integrated into the room so fast."
That's certainly encouraging to hear if you're a Tennessee fan. Pendleton is expected to start at right guard for the Vols this fall while also likely serving as UT's top backup center (if redshirt freshman William Satterwhite wins the center job this offseason).
Tennessee is replacing four starters on the offensive line this offseason. They're also replacing a lot of experience and leadership. The emergence of Pendleton as a key leader in that room is a big development for the Volunteers.
UT football will only go as far in 2025 as the offensive line will take them. There's a lot of new faces in that room, but there's a lot of talent, too. And Pendleton's efforts to unite the group off the field should help ensure that Tennessee gets the most of that talent.
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