Cooper Mays makes first career start against Florida

Cooper Mays started against Florida.

Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Cooper Mays made his first career start against Florida.

Mays replaced redshirt senior Brandon Kennedy at center. Kennedy started 20 consecutive games at center for the Vols before missing Saturday’s contest against the Gators.

Tennessee did not specify why Kennedy was unavailable.

KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 27, 2020 – Offensive lineman Cooper Mays #63 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on Haslam Field in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

“Coop is a tough kid,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said of Mays. “He is a smart kid. He works hard. He is only going to get better.

“It is good that he got to play against these guys, they got a good defense.”

Mays played at Knoxville Catholic High School and is the brother of Vols’ offensive lineman Cade Mays.

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