Pruitt intends to rotate among offensive linemen
More than five Tennessee offensive linemen have earned the right to play, so the Vols intend to rotate in some backups during the course of their season opener, coach Jeremy Pruitt said Wednesday night.
Tennessee will play No. 20 West Virginia on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) in Charlotte, N.C.
“I think we’ve got several guys that probably deserve to play, which probably is a good thing,” Pruitt said, “because that means we’ve got a little bit of depth. I’m sure we’ll play more than five guys. I think we probably need to.”
Left tackle Trey Smith and center Brandon Kennedy appear fairly cemented in their spots. At guards, Pruitt has three candidates – Jahmir Johnson, Ryan Johnson and Riley Locklear – who seem like starting candidates. Freshman Jerome Carvin also might play. At right tackle, Drew Richmond is the best bet to start, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Marcus Tatum or Chance Hall rotates in. Hall also has practiced at guard.
The offensive line has the potential to be one of Tennessee’s most improved position groups after a woeful 2017 showing. The Vols ranked last in the SEC in average yards-per-carry last season and tied for the second most sacks allowed per game.
Elsewhere, Pruitt said both punters – freshman Paxton Brooks and walk-on Joe Doyle – probably will get an opportunity Saturday.
In all areas of the lineup, Pruitt said he expects "to play a lot of guys."
"I think that’s going to help," Pruitt said Wednesday night on the "Vol Calls" radio show. "Just moving through the season, we’ve got to create some depth, and we’ve got to give guys the opportunity, and we’ve got to show confidence in our players and let the guys who have earned the right to go out there go out there and see what they’re going to do.”
Several freshmen are poised to debut against WVU. Pruitt says that youth doesn't concern him.
“I don’t think at the coin toss they’re going to ask everybody’s age. I don’t think that matters," Pruitt said on "Vol Calls."