Fifth-year offensive line coach Glen Elarbee took to the podium following Tuesday’s practice to talk about Tennessee’s revamped unit up front.
Despite having to replace four starters from last year’s group, there is plenty of optimism around the offensive line room this preseason with competition in the room at an all-time high. Elarbee and company have assembled a good mix of experienced veterans to go along with a group of talented young players who have been developing and will look to step into larger roles.
Junior tackle Lance Heard is the lone returning starter from last season and seems poised for a big year after a productive offseason that he used to get healthy and transform his body.
“He’s changed his body, he’s done a great job,” Elarbee said when asked about Heard’s offseason progress. “He’s lost weight, but he hasn’t lost an ounce of power and he’s way stronger.
“He’s redirecting better, his hands in pass pro are way better. Footwork, getting a base and being able to maintain blocks and create movement and play with violence – credit to guy, he’s done an unreal job, really good job.”
Underclassmen Jesse Perry, Shamurad Umarov, William Satterwhite, Bennett Warren and Max Anderson are among a handful of returners from last year’s team that are expected to contend for playing time and contribute this season.
After redshirting as a true freshman, Perry has made some major strides heading into his second season on Rocky Top and has caught the eye of the coaches.
“Jesse does everything right, absolutely everything,” according to Elarbee. “From eating habits, recovery, film study, coaching other players, that’s the reason he puts himself in the position that he’s at.
“He gets his body, his body has changed so much since he’s been here. He’s highly intellectual, so he studies the crap out of everything. So that’s what he does, you say, ‘what is it?’, but it’s everything. You don’t want to say anybody is perfect, but he is pretty close to doing everything right.”
Tennessee also added five-star prospect David Sanders Jr. and a pair of experienced transfers in Wendell Moe Jr. and Sam Pendleton to help bolster the unit.
Sanders Jr. has already made some big leaps from the spring by adding significant weight to his impressive frame, pairing that with his…
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