Tennessee’s skill-position players get most of the publicity. That’s usually the case in football. However, there are some other Vols that need to fill in some gaping holes on the offensive line as soon as possible.
The Vols lost four starters from last year’s team: All-SEC center Cooper Mays, left guard Andrej Karic, right guard Javontez Spraggins and right tackle John Campbell Jr.
They went the transfer route to shore up the guard position. Tennessee landed Sam Pendleton from Notre Dame and Wendell Moe Jr. from Arizona.
“I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. “One of the best things that’s going on in that room is there is a ton of competition, but it’s healthy competition. It’s us all trying to work in the same direction, so the team is where it needs to be while everyone is fighting to get on the field.
“There are a bunch of mixing and matching with different guys who are going with the one’s, two’s and three’s every single day. It makes for a really fun camp when there’s that much competition, especially with that, because that’s what makes you go. They’ve done a really good job the first three days.”
As the Vols begin to don full pads, Moe seems set to play right guard. One would think Pendleton would take over left guard, but that could depend on what happens at right tackle. Tennessee’s coaches would love for highly rated prospect David Sanders Jr. to take over that role, but he’s still a freshman, which makes that a tall order. That’s why landing Pendleton and Moe were so important.
“A bunch of guys that have played football,” Halzle said. “One at a high level, like you know the guys that they are playing against are real dudes. They are guys that I don’t know what all the stats are, but you didn’t see them give up pressures. You saw them in the run game being able to physically move people.
“They are guys who can step in right from the beginning if they end up on the field. They will look like they’re supposed to be out there on an SEC offensive line. They can think well. They can move well. They’ve got the size, the strength. They can hold up in the run game. They can hold up in the pass game.
“We can move bodies with them. They are two guys that allow you to be really versatile on the offensive line with the plays that you can call either way to both guys.”
Pendleton, in particular, has certainly gone against top competition. While at Notre Dame, Pendleton was on a team that played in the national championship game. He certainly brings a tenacity to the game based on pride and camaraderie.
“I care about my guys,” Pendleton said. “I have a real issue with people touching my quarterback and my running back. If you’re in the backfield, you’re in my family. Especially if you’re on the line, you’re my family.
“That’s kind of my mindset when I walk on the field. I’m blocking to protect the men behind me and the man beside me, not for personal growth. You keep everybody healthy, you win ball games.”
Keeping Iamaleava upright and healthy is key this season. After being the starter in 2024, he should be ready to elevate his play – as long as he has protection. Iamaleava didn’t play with Moe, but the two were on the same high school team for a season before Iamaleava transferred after his freshman year.
“I know him well,” Iamaleava said. “I went to high school with Moe when he was a junior and I was a freshman. I ended up transferring out after my freshman year, so I never got to play with Moe. I always knew Moe and his whole family in high school. It’s crazy how it spins full circle and now we’re on the same team…I always knew Moe as a dog. He’s a dog and he’s going to hit somebody. I’m glad we have him on our team and can’t wait to see him work too.”
If Moe and Pendleton don’t “work,” then Tennessee could be in trouble. Then, UT’s offensive linemen will get plenty of publicity, but not the kind they’d prefer.
