KNOXVILLE - Tennessee starting right tackle Chance Hall incurred a season-ending knee injury in early August last year, and the bad news never relented as the Volunteers struggled to a program-worst 4-8 record.
For the 2017 team as a whole, and particularly the offensive line, injury after injury decimated depth to a point that walk-ons and freshmen were thrust into key situations by season's end.
The ripple effects lasted into the spring, when defensive linemen switched to the offensive line to ensure the second-team offense had enough bodies to finish the spring game in late April.
Now the momentum finally seems to be shifting in a positive direction for a position group Tennessee needs dramatic improvement from as it looks toward its season opener against West Virginia on Sept. 1 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Who's back?
To the relief of Tennessee's new coaching staff, star sophomore Trey Smith will return. He already has been named to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference first team and is on the Outland Trophy watch list.
If there's a positive to glean from last season's wave of injuries in this group, it's that Smith now has experience at every position on the line except center. Numerous other young linemen - such as Devante Brooks, Ryan Johnson and Riley Locklear - also received playing time that will help them compete for more of it when preseason practices begin. Tackles Drew Richmond and Marcus Tatum are back and have the potential to earn starting jobs.
Hall, now a redshirt junior, is still recovering from surgery, and any early contributions from him would be a bonus.
Who's new?
Alabama graduate transfer Brandon Kennedy delighted Tennessee fans when he chose the Vols over Auburn this summer for his final two years of eligibility. Kennedy figures to compete for immediate playing time on the interior of the offensive line. Early enrollee Jerome Carvin could also parlay a strong spring into a spot in the rotation on the line's interior.
Junior college transfer Jahmir Johnson is a wild card, but he will at least provide depth, as will redshirt freshman K'Rojhn Calbert, who didn't play last season because of a knee injury. Freshmen Tanner Antonutti and Ollie Lane and defensive line convert Eric Crosby round out the depth chart.
Strengths
Smith could be the group's vocal leader, even though he is only a sophomore. His size and strength make him an elite run blocker, and Tennessee is sure to pick up crucial yards behind Smith.
Weaknesses
Several players with starting experience at the tackle positions return, but there is not an established, fully healthy returning starter at either slot.
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.