National media outlet includes Tennessee Vols newcomer on college football All-Transfer Team
One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest additions from the transfer portal this offseason was included on 247Sports' college football All-Transfer Team. 247Sports included Vols offensive tackle Lance Heard, an LSU transfer, on their All-Transfer Team that they recently revealed. Tennessee started pursuing Heard when offensive tackle Gerald Mincey, a starter for the Vols in 2022 […]
One of the Tennessee Vols' biggest additions from the transfer portal this offseason was included on 247Sports' college football All-Transfer Team.
247Sports included Vols offensive tackle Lance Heard, an LSU transfer, on their All-Transfer Team that they recently revealed.
Tennessee started pursuing Heard when offensive tackle Gerald Mincey, a starter for the Vols in 2022 and 2023, surprisingly entered the transfer portal in January (Mincey eventually transferred to Kentucky).
Heard is a former five-star recruit who played in 12 games (with one start) for LSU as a true freshman in 2023. According to UTSports.com, Heard didn't allow a sack while playing 195 snaps for the Tigers last season.
The addition of Heard, who is expected to play left tackle for Tennessee this fall (which will move John Campbell to right tackle), is a big reason why 247Sports thinks the Volunteers have the No. 5 offensive line unit in college football entering the 2024 season.
From 247Sports: Former LSU right tackle Lance Heard (6-6, 335, one start) is expected to kick over and protect Nico Iamaleava's blindside. Heard was one of my favorite OL in the portal and has the length and athleticism to be a really good one despite playing a limited amount of snaps his freshman year. Cooper Mays, John Campbell Jr., and Javontez Spraggins all returned with 95 career starts among them.
Mays (6-4, 310, 31 starts) will be the starting center and will hopefully be able to stay healthy the entire season as the line plays much better with him as the anchor. Campbell Jr. (6-5, 330, 27 starts) is kicking over to right tackle this year after starting nine games on the blindside last season. Spraggins (6-3, 325, 37 starts) is Tennessee's best lineman but missed spring ball due to a knee injury suffered against Georgia.
A great offensive line is necessary to win a championship in college football. There are some questions about the Vols' depth along the offensive line — though there's some young talent on Tennessee's roster that has the potential to play at a high level. But as long as the anchors of the offensive line stay healthy, specifically center Cooper Mays, UT should have one of the best offensive lines in the SEC.
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