Next years offensive Line

#1
Tennman

Tennman

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#1
Is anyone else as concerned as I am about next years offensive line? I didn't realize how many of our OL are seniors. I guess I was asleep at the wheel. I thought we had recruited some big name lineman. Its a little concerning, we are not seeing more younger OL out there. Please educate me, if I'm missing something. We need to hit the portal hard it seems.
 
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#2
#2
TAF said:
We have SEVERAL underclassman lineman...if there is ANY development...we should be OK.

Vysen Lang - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Vysen Lang (54) OL - First name is pronounced VIE-sun CAREER HONORS 2023 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll CAREER Up-and-coming offensive line prospect who focused
utsports.com utsports.com

Mo Clipper Jr. - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Mo Clipper Jr. (56) OL - CAREER HONORS 2022 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll CAREER Second-year offensive lineman who could work his way into the depth
utsports.com utsports.com

Connor Meadows - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Connor Meadows (57) Offensive Line - 2022 - FRESHMAN Appeared in one game and earned a redshirt ... Made Tennessee debut against UT Martin (10/22). PERSONAL Full
utsports.com utsports.com

Ayden Bussell - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Ayden Bussell (64) OL - First name is pronounced A-din CAREER HONORS 2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll 2023 - FRESHMAN Earned a redshirt in his first
utsports.com utsports.com

Masai Reddick - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Masai Reddick (59) OL - CAREER Big, physical offensive lineman who enters his third year with the program in 2024 ... Seen most of his time on field goal and
utsports.com utsports.com

Gus Hill - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Gus Hill (69) OL - CAREER HONORS 2023 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll 2023 - RS-FRESHMAN Made collegiate debut during Tennessee's Homecoming victory over
utsports.com utsports.com

Addison Nichols - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Addison Nichols (72) OL - CAREER HONORS 2022 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll CAREER Highly-touted interior offensive lineman in his second year with the
utsports.com utsports.com

Larry Johnson III - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Larry Johnson III (77) OL - CAREER Towering offensive lineman with impressive size who joined the Vols as a junior college transfer from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community
utsports.com utsports.com

Shamurad Umarov - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Shamurad Umarov (79) OL - Last name is pronounced oo-MAH-rawf CAREER HONORS 2023 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll 2023 - FRESHMAN Appeared in four contests
utsports.com utsports.com
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#4
#4
Tman44 said:
NIL money is a great thing, but it may be the only way he gets paid next season. Although we all know and love Cooper, he isn't getting the love from NFL scouts. I've looked at several draft boards and he doesn't crack one list. In 2021 there were eight centers taken in the draft. 2022 saw six being taken and in 2023 there were nine. There simply are not many centers taken on an annual basis. I'm sure an NFL career is what he wants; however, he simply isn't getting the attention he needs. Another year will certainly boost his draft stock. Joe Tippman was the first center taken in the last draft. He went in the second round and averages $2M/year. Alex Forsyth was taken in round seven and averages $1M/year. The top veteran centers earn between $10-$12M/year. I can't see how anyone with knowledge of the NFL draft would advise him to leave Tennessee after this season.


www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Center Rankings 2024 NFL Draft

Center s prospect rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft. Breakdowns of the best Center prospects and averages of other scouting reports.
www.nfldraftbuzz.com www.nfldraftbuzz.com

2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Center – WalterFootball

walterfootball.com walterfootball.com
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Speaking on Copper Mays in another thread.
Tman44 said:
www.spotrac.com

2024 NFL Rankings

Listing the top salaries, cap hits, cash, earnings, contracts, and bonuses, for all active NFL players.
www.spotrac.com www.spotrac.com
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#5
#5
Yes concerning. However not until transfer portal is closed. How many offensive lineman will be stoked to block for Nico and Dylan and Jaylen. Our offensive firepower behind LOS will be potent. I imagine a fair share of capable lineman will want to be out in front of those guys.
 
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#7
#7
Volfan2012 said:
Transfer portal will be huge for the OL sure the coaches are on it.
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100 other head coaches thinking the same thing… it’s a valid concern. And most players entering portal aren’t NFL guys. Most are buried on a depth chart. Even the highly rated guys are usually not as good as advertised.
 
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#9
#9
Volfan2012 said:
Transfer portal will be huge for the OL sure the coaches are on it.
Click to expand...
Yessir, we need a couple of SEC ready OLs this cycle. Staff brought a couple this year, but neither looks elite. The year before we hit a home run with Mincy.
Heupel has done a masterful job of rebuilding our disastrous roster since he arrived. Remember, nearly every "elite" player we had "mysteriously" transferred as the Pruitt recruiting crimes were coming out. Errr, they were obviously being paid. So, we were flat slammed roster wise, after that 3-7 SEConly season that got cornbread fired.

UT should look like a good destination for an elite mid-major or P5 offensive lineman who wants to finish at a powerhouse with a possible superstar QB and a ⅔ headed monster returning.
 
#10
#10
No starters returning if I’m not mistaken. #1 concern for next year. But first let’s beat A&M on the way to 11-1
 
#12
#12
volfan_28 said:
No starters returning if I’m not mistaken. #1 concern for next year. But first let’s beat A&M on the way to 11-1
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Mincey is junior and can return. Anrej Karic can return as well for two years. Technically I think Spraggins and Cooper can return too but will depend on draft grade. That is 4 starters from this year.

Among underclassmen, Adison Nichols was deep into starting line up fight until camp and will be starter at one of the Guard positions. They are very high on Vysen Lang and will likely get a shot at Center. Larry Johnson (JUCO) and Uramov will be two other contenders in the rotation. Brian Grant, Masai Reddick etc. can help out as needed.

So while portal is definitely needed as atleast 7-8 guys will leave/graduate, but not as bad as many think here. Just a couple good guys.
 
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#13
#13
volmandu said:
Mincey is junior and can return. Anrej Karic can return as well for two years. Technically I think Spraggins and Cooper can return too but will depend on draft grade. That is 4 starters from this year.

Among underclassmen, Adison Nichols was deep into starting line up fight until camp and will be starter at one of the Guard positions. They are very high on Vysen Lang and will likely get a shot at Center. Larry Johnson (JUCO) and Uramov will be two other contenders in the rotation.

So while portal is definitely needed but not as bad as many think here. Just a couple good guys.
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Don’t see Mincey, Cooper, or Spraggins coming back after the grades they’ll get from being part of an 11-1 team with the #1 rushing attack in the country. Their stock will increase with the wins we’re about to stack up. Didn’t realize Karic is starting.
 
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#15
#15
There's a ton of talent on the OL behind these starters.
My big concern is youth and lack of experience it's the same concern I have at the QB position.
I can see us taking a step back in 2024, we will need to rely on the Defense to win us a game or two.
But man oh man 2025 is going to be special !!!
 
#16
#16
biggest concern for me is cooper leaving since he's a senior this year. Is that whole Super Senior option still a thing?
 
#17
#17
volfan_28 said:
100 other head coaches thinking the same thing… it’s a valid concern. And most players entering portal aren’t NFL guys. Most are buried on a depth chart. Even the highly rated guys are usually not as good as advertised.
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Yup. There are portal guys to be had on the OL—Michigan has had good luck there and Bama started a Vandy transfer at LT last year—but it’s tough. Demand outstrips supply by a lot. And many OL take a couple years to mature, so getting a good transfer in means you likely only get him for one year.

I think it’s easier to find players particularly suited to your scheme and team than to find prototypical OL. But OL recruiting can be a dice roll out of high school, too. I think it’s the hardest position to recruit.
 
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#19
#19
Tennman said:
Is anyone else as concerned as I am about next years offensive line? I didn't realize how many of our OL are seniors. I guess I was asleep at the wheel. I thought we had recruited some big name lineman. Its a little concerning, we are not seeing more younger OL out there. Please educate me, if I'm missing something. We need to hit the portal hard it seems.
Click to expand...
Transfer portal
 
#20
#20
Depends tbh. If we get Seaton he’s probably the most advanced OT that has come out of the HS ranks in a while per the owner of On3. Warren also would be a freshman, but he ready from a build perspective. C would be Vysen Lang, and the other 2 spots is probably Nichols, sham, reddick
 
#21
#21
DeepSpringsVol said:
Yes concerning. However not until transfer portal is closed. How many offensive lineman will be stoked to block for Nico and Dylan and Jaylen. Our offensive firepower behind LOS will be potent. I imagine a fair share of capable lineman will want to be out in front of those guys.
Click to expand...
AGREE...can say that about D positions too! I think it's like the Peyton/Deshawn Watson/ Trevor type effect...recruiting at all positions increased when Peyton started to light it up, which lead to continued success...same thing for Clemson. We're posting good WR recruiting, and who wouldn't want to block for Nico! I do personally think getting Nico as much "PR time" is a good thing...give recruits a little taste of what's to come. Not sure how much PT he'll get w/ upcoming slate unless Milton hurt.
 
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#22
#22
Tennman said:
Is anyone else as concerned as I am about next years offensive line? I didn't realize how many of our OL are seniors. I guess I was asleep at the wheel. I thought we had recruited some big name lineman. Its a little concerning, we are not seeing more younger OL out there. Please educate me, if I'm missing something. We need to hit the portal hard it seems.
Click to expand...

As long as our OL is as good as the one who worked SC, I’m good. If it’s as bad as the one who got worked by FL, I’m not good.
 
#23
#23
Tennman said:
Is anyone else as concerned as I am about next years offensive line? I didn't realize how many of our OL are seniors. I guess I was asleep at the wheel. I thought we had recruited some big name lineman. Its a little concerning, we are not seeing more younger OL out there. Please educate me, if I'm missing something. We need to hit the portal hard it seems.
Click to expand...
I was wondering the same thing. Cooper COVID year? Others? Lol
 
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