Tennessee’s depth on the offensive line is all about perspective. Sure, there’s more Vols to man the offensive front this season, but Tennessee isn’t exactly swimming in the deep end of the quality offensive linemen pool. Outside of the Vols starters, things get iffy.

Every offensive line coach would like to begin the season with depth that is versatile. The Vols have some of that. Tennessee appears to have four offensive tackles that can play: projected starters Lance Heard at left tackle and John Campbell Jr. at right tackle, backed up by Larry Johnson III and Dayne Davis. 

“Those guys have gotten reps and having that depth helps not only us but the team,” Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said. “…It will help us. When we get to the fall, hopefully you’re rotating guys, preparing them for the next year and also helping guys last for what is hopefully a very long season.”

Rotating offensive linemen during a series would be something new, although that seems unlikely. Tennessee prefers to keep its lineup intact during drives so that defenses can’t substitute along with the Vols.

Tennessee also has more depth in the interior of its offensive line. However, the players behind the Vols’ projected starters haven’t proven to be world beaters just yet. The Vols struggled mightily last season when center Cooper Mays missed much of the beginning of the season with an abdominal injury. The consensus is that the Vols would have at least beat Florida last season with a healthy Mays.

Mays is an incredible advantage. He’s a leader, knows the offense and was named Preseason first team All-SEC. While Vysen Lang is the likely second-string center, William Satterwhite got some publicity from Elarbee as well.

“It’s awesome. It’s a great competition,” Ellarbee said. “Vysen and (William) Satterwhite are probably taking most of those reps and competing. Satterwhite coming along at a high rate, Vysen has improved in a ton of areas.”

With Mays being a proven commodity, his backups can get more work. Lang is thought to be the more likely choice if Mays needs a break.

Backup center isn’t the only question mark on the offensive line. The Vols got rather average play from left guard last season, which was mostly manned by transfer Andrej Karic. Now, there’s some more players to try to raise the level of play in the interior of the offense: Davis, who has also played guard, Jackson Lampley and Shamurad Umarov.

“I think you always let the competition sort itself out,” Elarbee said. “Andrej has worked left guard. Dayne has worked left guard. Lampley has worked left guard. Shamurad is working left guard…We are kind of moving guys around day-to-day. 

“At the end of day, whoever is the best. That guy is going to play, and then we are going to have to play someone behind him later. It’s going to be a long year. Coach (Josh) Heupel is making instances of us rotating, so I’m trying to make that point in the way we practice. Guys are rotating in and taking a lot of reps, reading ones and twos.”

Perhaps no player is seeing more time than Davis considering he can play any of the positions on the offensive line.

“Just working everywhere, priding myself in versatility, you know left tackle, right tackle, left guard, center, everywhere,” Davis said. “Just having the versatility to go anywhere.”

Those multiple responsibilities, however, can be challenging.

“Sometimes it does get physically taxing just having to switch up your technique up, fundamentals and stuff,” Davis said. “Footwork is completely different at both (sides). There are completely different players at all of those too on the other side…so sometimes it does get physically tough.”

Lampley should know the offense well. The senior has had plenty of time to learn under Heupel and Elarbee.

“Just being consistent,” Lampley said. “Playing the way I typically play, especially the run game and also the pass game. Just being able to move people, but also playing smart. I think those two things are really going to help me.”

Lampley could be key for the Vols. He had the opportunity to leave school and pursue the NFL or other options.

“Just to be able to go out there and start and have a positive impact,” Lampley said when asked why he returned for another season. “I think that was a big reason why I decided to come back. The other reason why I really decided to come back was the guys in the locker room, you know? They’ll always have a special place in my heart. And same here at the University of Tennessee. I mean, this school has done a lot for me throughout my entire life. So I think those two factors were really why I decided to come back.”

It just takes a little perspective.