Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Marcus Tatum got trial by Alabama fire

Offensive tackle Marcus Tatum had an interesting collegiate debut last October. The Tennessee freshman's objective entering the 2016 season was to gain weight and get stronger for the future. On Oct. 15, he found himself in Neyland Stadium playing against Alabama.

This spring, a bigger, more mature Tatum is a factor in what appears to be a deep UT line.

Here are four things to know about Marcus Tatum:

1, The Alabama experience: Tatum, like most freshmen linemen, was expected to redshirt. Come Alabama week, Brett Kendrick and Chance Hall both got hurt. And there was Tatum, sent into the huddle early in the game to make his debut against the best defense in the nation, lining up against a bunch of guys who will get drafted next week. 

"Everything happens for a reason,'' Tatum said Thursday. "It really did better me. What freshman can say they played against multiple first-round draft picks in a game? Going from Derek (Barnett) in practice to first-rounders, to (Alabama's) Tim Williams and all of them in a game, It's just a great experience.''

Alabama won 49-10.

"I was very prepared,'' Tatum said. "I just psyched myself out at some points. I wasn't trusting the technique.'' 

2. Barnett fan: Practicing against teammate Barnett was the best education Tatum got last season. Barnett set UT's career sack record and will be a first-round pick next week.

"Derek Barnett is the best defensive end in the country,'' Tatum said. "There's no doubt about it. His speed to power ratio is just ridiculous.''

3. Redshirt burned: Tennessee Tech was the only other game Tatum played after Alabama. Was it worth using a year of eligibility for just two games? It's not ideal but Tatum is philosophical. "Really not a problem,''' he said. Teammates Jashon Robertson and Joshua Dobbs, based on their own experiences as freshmen, had advised him to be prepared to play at any time.

Of three linemen in the class of 2016, Tatum was the only one who played. Nathan Niehaus and Ryan Johnson redshirted. 

4. Bigger, stronger: Tatum is up to 280-285 pounds, depending on the day. He sings the praises of both new strength coach Rock Gullickson and his Brad Roll, who has helped Tatum's flexibility.

"I'm not just surviving,'' he said. "I'm starting to contribute more. I'm not getting bull-rushed as much and I feel comfortable in my sets. I just feel a lot more powerful and balanced and stable.''

Walt Wells taking over as offensive line coach also gets a thumbs-up.

"He's very vocal and very attentive to details,'' Tatum said. "If you win the rep but the details aren't good, we're going to do the rep again.''

Eating early and often is still part of the regimen. "Last night I had four pb-and-jelly sandwiches before bed.''