It’s no secret that the Tennessee offensive line was one of the worst in the country in 2018. A mix of injuries, failed development, and downright bad luck meant that the Volunteers’ front five were often the source of offensive impotence. Granted, the coaching staff probably didn’t expect two of their best starters to miss a combined 17 games, though that hardly justifies the performances we saw throughout the year.
First, the good news: Help is on the way. Tennessee has two 5-star tackles, one 4-star guard, and another 3-star tackle from the 2019 class on campus. The incoming group unfortunately lost one of their higher potential signees in 3-star guard Melvin McBride, but overall this year’s signees still represent a monumental step towards overhauling the line.