Josh Heupel stresses need for depth at offensive tackle

This season, the Tennessee Volunteers want to build off their wildly successful 2022 campaign and dethrone the Georgia Bulldogs as the kings of the SEC East, SEC, and college football world. But in order for them to do so, the Volunteers will need to solidify the pecking order along their offensive line, mainly at the tackle position. After their first day of fall camp, head coach Josh Heupel took a moment to stress the need for depth and consistency at tackle going into the 2023 season.

“The reality is we’re gonna need all those guys to play,” said Heupel. “That’s been proven over time everywhere that I’ve been and since I’ve been here, too. At the end of the day, this is the time of year where you got to let the competition unfold. Guys that are consistent and are playing at a high level and doing all those things at a championship level are the guys that you got to find a role with. We’ll see where that ends up by the end of training camp.”

The Volunteers have a huge void to fill at offensive tackle. Many individuals were critical to the success of Tennessee’s historical offense last season. Still, none were rewarded like offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the 2023 NFL Draft. Wright was selected with the No. 10 overall pick by the Chicago Bears. He was the first Volunteers player since safety Eric Berry to be drafted in the top-ten pick of the draft.

It’s not like Tennessee is devoid of talent on their offensive line. The Volunteers have several young players who can help address their woes. Still, Heupel needs to see more out of that unit during the program’s fall camp. And as it stands, while depth is a necessity, the Tennessee head man will roll with the most consistent guys to start the season.

Heupel says Jeremy Pruitt investigation being behind Tennessee is ‘huge’ for state of the program

While the offensive tackle position might give the Volunteers headman cause for concern, there is something he can breathe easy about now. When Heupel inherited the program, things were a mess, and the program was in disarray as they dealt with an NCAA investigation into former head coach Jeremy Pruitt. But they have since closed their investigation, and now the Volunteers can look towards the future. Recently, Heupel addressed the significance of the investigation closure to the Tennessee football program.

“The NCAA stuff being behind us, it’s huge for us as a program. As much as anything, on the recruiting side of it,” said Heupel. “I said that probably a week ago at media days as well. As far as how I’m different or what’s different about the program, we got 2 1/2 years of built-up trust and chemistry with your staff and your players. But at the end of the day, how we approach and how I approach every single day, it’s not any different.”