Tennessee left tackle Jacob Gilliam (65)KNOXVILLE – At the onset of Tennessee’s preseason training camp, Dontavius Blair staking claim to a starting spot at left tackle was a foregone conclusion.
After all, Jacob Gilliam, a former walk-on, was the only one standing in the way of the mammoth junior college transfer.
Through the first week of practice, though, Gilliam remained in control of the first-team spot heading into the Volunteers’ first preseason scrimmage at Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
“He’s playing so steady,” offensive line coach Don Mahoney said of Gilliam following Friday’s practice. “He just goes about his work every day. I think [it’s] his experience and his technique — and that’s the biggest thing that Dontavius is working to improve, is his overall technique.
“His strength, his conditioning levels have gotten better, but his overall technique’s got to improve, and that’s something where [Gilliam] has an edge on him. Jacob’s really holding it down, and Dontavius is making strides, and it’s good and it’s healthy. As an overall unit, that’s good for us, but Jacob’s playing well.”