After spending the 2014 season as a punching bag for opposing fronts, Tennessee’s offensive line went into the off-season with nowhere to go but up.
As the first of the Vols’ 15 spring practices rolls around, the unit feels it has taken strides in the right direction and is looking forward to testing that on the field.
“I feel like the offensive line is a position where you need a lot of chemistry,” rising sophomore Jashon Robertson said after Tuesday’s first day of practice. “Just being around each other during workouts and during practice … Just having that time together with the guys has definitely been helpful.
Strength was a clear problem for this group last season, as Tennessee ranked 12th in the SEC in total rushing after continuously failing to knock opposing defenders off the ball and generate lanes for backs to run through.
The Vols hope that problem won’t be as evident this year, however, as many of Tennessee’s young offensive lineman have had the benefit of their first full off-season in a collegiate strength and conditioning program.
Robertson made the switch from defensive tackle to offensive guard just a couple weeks before the 2014 season began and quickly became an anchor, starting all 13 games for the Vols.
The Nashville, Tenn. native was named to the All-SEC Freshman team, as well making an appearance on multiple Freshman All-American rosters. Robertson admitted he was surprised with his performance, but feels like he has great room for improvement this year.
“The time that we’ve spent with the strength coaches, as far as take-offs, all those types of things” Robertson said. “Just all that definitely has helped so far.”
Fellow rising sophomore Coleman Thomas experienced his own baptism by fire. Unlike Robertson, however, Thomas struggled to adjust to the college game.
The Max Meadows, Virginia native started five games at right tackle for the Vols in 2014, and had a hard time matching up physically as a freshman in the SEC.
“It was an unbelievable wake-up call,” Thomas said. “I’m glad I got the experience. I’m glad I got to work through that. This off-season has really benefitted me, and now I think I’ll be able to compete.”
Despite spending the majority of last season playing tackle, Thomas begins spring practice splitting repetition between tackle and what head coach Butch Jones referred to as his more “natural position” at center.
An increase in competition has also become a factor on the offensive line, as Tennessee added two early enrollees to the group this off-season.
Jack Jones and Chance Hall have the benefit of experiencing spring practice this season, and the duo has already begun to stand out to their new teammates.
“The new guys that have come in are very talented,” Thomas said. “I can’t wait to see them on Saturday when we get some pads on. That’s the beauty of the beast, there’s guys coming in that can play like that and get you competition ready for Saturdays.”
While Tennessee returns four of its five starters on the offensive line from last year, Jones has made it clear that the best players will play, regardless of their experience on the playing field.
Spring practice gives teams an opportunity to experiment with different lineups, and the Vols are making sure to take advantage of that.
“We are trying to find out the best five, the best five individuals up front. So we are going to move some players around,” Jones said. “We are slowing starting to look like an SEC football team, in terms of our bodies. You can see individuals making monumental strides with their bodies.
“We always talk about your body is your weapon. Are you a Sunday body? Are you a Saturday body? Really taking pride in that and I thought some individuals you could really show their efforts in the weight room really translate onto the football field.”
