Big Orange Report - March 13, 2025


 Position Watch (Part 2)


Offensive Line
Coach Josh Heupel and offensive line coach Glen Elarbee have work to do this spring and most probably into August. The team lost four of five starting offensive linemen and the blocking front rebuilding is job one on offense. Left tackle Lance Heard (6-6, 350), a former five-star recruit that spent one year at LSU, returns and he did show improvement as the season progressed last fall. Not are four starters gone, but the three primary backups were fifth year seniors and they are also out of eligibility.
Heupel did have some success in the early transfer portal by adding two experienced players that are plug and play guys for sure. Wendall Moe (6-2, 335) from Arizona was an all-conference player and has already displayed much needed leadership abilities in winter workouts. Sam Pendleton (6-4, 310) arrived from Notre Dame where he started several games for the Irish. It is interesting to note that Pendleton was listed at 6-4, 295, when he transferred so it appears that the S&C staff has put 15 more pounds of added bulk and muscle on him. Both players will have multiple years in Knoxville. Moe is a junior and Pendleton is a red shirt sophomore this year. Moe will be an anchor at guard where he is considered to be a hostile fireplug. Pendleton is also ticketed for guard but might get a look at center if the younger candidates do not appear ready to step into the breach left by the departure of Cooper Mays.
One early enrollee in particular is going to be in the spotlight this spring. Offensive tackle David Sanders (6-6, 290) was a five-star recruit and ranked as the top offensive lineman in the Class of '25 by at least two services. Sanders is an immediate contender for the starting job at right offensive tackle because of his size, agility and obvious athletic talents. He will get plenty of attention this summer as the training staff works to continue to get him stronger in preparation for the SEC gauntlet.
Massive junior Larry Johnson (6-7, 350) split time at the tackles as a key reserve last season. He is certainly a legitimate candidate for the starting nod on the right side where he often relieved John Campbell in '24. Another veteran, Brian Grant (6-7, 330) is also in the mix and will get an opportunity to battle for a chance to be the starter at right tackle. Grant is a red shirt junior and two year letterman with the program.
Replacing Mays in the pivot is a key factor for this football team. Three youngsters, Jesse Perry (6-6, 310), a red shirt freshman, Max Anderson (6-5, 311), a red shirt freshman, and William Satterwhite (6-3, 305), another red shirt freshman, are going to get extended repetitions at center in practice. Perry has been billed as one of the better pure athletes among the offensive linemen on the roster this year.
BasketVols Prep for Tournaments
The Tennessee men's basketball team finished the regular season with a ten-point victory over feisty South Carolina. The capacity home crowd honored seniors Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier, Igor Milicic and Darlinstone Dubar before and after the game. Lanier was on fire in the second half of the win over the Gamecocks and finished his UT home career with 23 points.
The Volunteers are the number four seed in this week's SEC tournament and will play Friday. The most likely opponent is Texas A&M. The Aggies will have to beat the winner of the game pitting Texas against Vanderbilt. Tip time for the UT game will be between 2:30 and 3 p.m.
Lady Vols Await NCAA Draw
Coach Kim Caldwell and her team will find out their destination on Sunday when the Women's selection show is aired. At this writing, the Lady Vols appear to be tabbed as a five seed in the tournament. Tennessee is the only program in the NCAA to play in the tournament every year since its inception.  

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