UT Vols try freshman Jashon Robertson in offensive line

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee had its first position switch of its preseason football practices Monday.

After spending the first three days of training camp at defensive tackle, Jashon Robertson worked with the offensive line at guard on Monday as the Volunteers look to add depth on that side of the line of scrimmage.

The 6-foot-3, 306-pound freshman was a longtime Vanderbilt commitment who joined Tennessee's 2014 recuiting class in January after coach James Franklin left the Commodores for Penn State.

"He's showed some things in practice that we liked, so we moved him to the offensive line," second-year Vols coach Butch Jones said. "And I tell you what, Jashon is one of those individuals, love him to death. He always has a smile on his face, he loves the opportunity and he's tough. He's extremely competitive, and he's doing a great job."

Robertson and Charles Mosley were the two players in Tennessee's 2014 class who projected to play on either side of the line. Mosley likely won't play this season after breaking his tibia in a car accident last month.

A consensus three-star prospect and a state wrestling champion, Robertson played both ways at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville and had 74 tackles, 14 for loss and four sacks as a senior.

Defensive ends Derek Barnett and Dewayne Hendrix appear to be atop the pack of Tennessee's group of freshman defensive linemen at this point, but the Vols will have their first full-pads practice tonight.

Tennessee is short on depth on the offensive line beyond its top six or seven players. Former walk-on Jacob Gilliam continues to lead junior college transfer Dontavius Blair in the race at left tackle, and sophomore guard Dylan Wiesman has been limited some so far in camp.

Early in camp, the Vols' second-team offensive line has been, from left to right, Blair, former Bradley Central standout Austin Sanders, freshman Ray Raulerson, seldom-used fifth-year senior Marques Pair and redshirt freshman Brett Kendrick.

Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.

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