Tennessee will look to rebound after suffering its first loss in the last nine games.
The Vols were defeated by Georgia, 44-21, in Week 3 of the SEC season.
Tennessee’s offensive line has improved from a talent standpoint since Jeremy Pruitt was hired as the Vols’ head coach. Pruitt inherited Trey Smith and has recruited Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright. He has also brought in transfers Brandon Kennedy and Cade Mays.
When Tennessee defeated then No. 12 Kentucky two years ago, 24-7, the Vols’ offensive line looked much different.
Vols’ starting offensive line against Kentucky in 2018
- Left tackle — Marcus Tatum (6-foot-6, 293-pounds)
- Left guard — Jahmir Johnson (6-foot-5, 285-pounds)
- Center — Ryan Johnson (6-foot-6, 302-pounds)
- Right guard — Nathan Niehaus (6-foot-6, 287-pounds)
- Right tackle — Drew Richmond (6-foot-5, 316-pounds)
Vols’ starting offensive line in 2020*
- Left tackle — Wanya Morris (6-foot-5, 320-pounds)
- Left guard — Trey Smith (6-foot-6, 330-pounds)
- Center — Brandon Kennedy (6-foot-3, 300-pounds)
- Right guard — Cade Mays (6-foot-6, 320-pounds)
- Right tackle — Darnell Wright (6-foot-6, 330-pounds)
*Vols’ starting offensive line at Georgia in Week 3
Tennessee’s starting offensive line averaged 296.6 pounds in 2018, a difference from what the Vols had upfront last week at Georgia. Against the Bulldogs, Tennessee’s starting offensive line averaged 320 pounds.
The difference is Tennessee being 23.4 pounds bigger upfront compared to when the Vols defeated Kentucky in 2018.
Ahead of the Tennessee-Kentucky matchup Saturday, Wildcats’ head coach Mark Stoops discussed his opponent’s offensive line.
“They really have become physical and that is an area they have drastically improved since Jeremy has been there,” Stoops said. “You can see the physicality. Getting Cade in there as the transfer eligible helps them along with Trey and all those guys.
“They are a big group and they’re physical. Just like all of us in this league, we all understand you have to have playmakers, but you also have to be very physical and they definitely are that.”
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