Offensive linemen Jack Jones (66), Dylan Wiesman (71) and Brett Kendrick (63) wait for a drill to start during Tennessee’s practice at Neyland Stadium on April 2, 2016.KNOXVILLE — It wasn’t all that long ago that Tennessee had to start a former walk-on with torn knee ligaments at left tackle because there were no other options.
Now the Volunteers can handle a spring practice where they’ve been short a couple of starters.
Recruiting successes in the 2014 and 2015 classes and the development of some upperclassmen have created an ideal situation at Tennessee, which now feels confident it can go eight or nine deep on its offensive line.
“It’s a great situation to be in, and the guys are aware that (it’s) at all spots,” offensive line coach Don Mahoney said Thursday. “From the tackle spots to the guards to even at center, guys are going to have a great summer because of the level of competition at some of those spots.
“That’s a situation we’ve been trying to build since we got here, and we feel like we’re getting to that point where we’re building the depth that we need to play as physical and play the style of play that we want to (with) the demands of this conference.