KNOXVILLE -- The five offensive football players who enrolled at Tennessee earlier this month made their media debuts in the team meeting room Tuesday afternoon.
And a couple of the newcomers to arguably the program's biggest question-mark position -- a young and battered offensive line -- look forward to the challenge.
The Volunteers may not need multiple freshmen to play immediately on their offensive line this year after Jashon Robertson started the entire season and Coleman Thomas made multiple starts in 2014.
That may not prohibit newcomer Jack Jones or other incoming linemen from eyeing immediate playing time, however.
"I really want to come up here and help any way I can," Jones said. "I just want to be out there and do anything for (offensive line) Coach (Don) Mahoney and Coach (Butch) Jones any way they need me.
"I think this offensive line's made a lot of strides this year, and they did a great job. As the year developed, they just got better and better. I hope to continue that into next year. We're just going to keep getting better and better, and if it means me getting to play a little bit, that's awesome, but I'm just here to work.
"Hopefully I get to play early, but if I don't, it is what it is, but I'm having a mindset of I'm here to work and I'm here to get this offensive line and this team better."
Hall hoping for spring return
After sitting out his senior season of high school with a torn Achilles' tendon, Chance Hall is working toward a return in time for spring practice in a couple of months.
The three-star recruit from Virginia suffered the injury while playing on defense during a benefit game before his final season.
"They're saying spring time I should be back," the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder said. "That's what I'm pushing for, too. I'm working really hard right now trying to get back as fast as I can."
In addition to averaging a double-double for Roanoke Northside's basketball team, Hall was a two-way all-state player, but he'll start his Tennessee career on the offensive line.
"I just like pancaking people," he said with a grin.
Season tickets increase
Football season tickets will increase in price in 2015.
After attendance improved in a bounce-back 2014 campaign, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported Tuesday that season-ticket prices will increase about 6.5 percent.
Tennessee finished with a 7-6 record after beating Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl and recorded its first winning season since 2009.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.