There are a couple of positions on the Tennessee football roster that have depth and experience questions. Offensive line isn’t one of them. The Volunteers only lost Lance Heard from last year’s starting five, which was a telegraphed and expected development with David Sanders always expected to kick over to the left side.
Wendell Moe, Sam Pendleton and Jesse Perry join Sanders up front returning from last year and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee isn’t short on options to fill that last spot.
“We
definitely have options, I feel like,” Elarbee said this week. “But if I’m just sitting there and looking at every single one of them, this would definitely be one of the years that we’ve probably had the most competition and options, especially returning guys, guys we brought in, the young guys, developing. It’s like anything, if you have competition, I think it will end up making us better, period, for sure.”
Tennessee brought in Ory Williams from LSU as their expected right tackle this offseason. However, Jesse Perry got plenty of experience at right tackle last season and could be a solution there. Sham Umarov and Donovan Haslam are battling for the starting right guard spot, which could kick out Perry to tackle.
It’s just one big puzzle for Elarbee to figure out over the next few weeks, but a great problem to have.
“I think what helps, you have some (options) at guard and tackle,” Elarbee said. “You always have Jesse (Perry) that can kind of do both, so he can balance the scales more with the other if you need it. But, yeah, at guard we’ve definitely got some good man-mover bodies.”
Haslam got five starts last season for West Virginia. Umarov got plenty of work as Tennessee fought through early injury issues with David Sanders last season. Elsewhere, 5-star true freshman Gabe Osenda has drawn some praise from Elarbee this week. Jeremias Heard is also in the mix to fill a tackle depth role. Nic Moore has also been coming along at center behind Pendleton.
“Especially in fall camp, things are moving relatively quickly,” Elarbee said. “You try to take time on the off day and just go back. And the first time you watch it, you’re correcting technique, effort, fundamentals. You’re trying to focus on who looks good, who doesn’t, at what side, what not. But when we have passing time, that’s where I am, trying to watch them left side, right side, inside, outside. Who really is your best, best five?”
The truth of the matter is, all of these guys are going to have their name called as some point this season. You won’t make it through a nine-game SEC slate without some bumps and bruises. Right now it seems like Elarbee feels pretty comfortable with his group — one that might go nine or even ten deep.
