Vols football settling on 'best lineup' on offensive line

Tennessee entered its bye week having started four different offensive line combinations in five games.

But coming out of the week of practices and into preparation for South Carolina, the Vols believe they have settled on a consistent starting lineup. Offensive coordinator Larry Scott pegged the group featuring tackle Drew Richmond, guard Brett Kendrick, center Jashon Robertson, guard Trey Smith and tackle Marcus Tatum as the best option for Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC).

“We thought right now with the overall health and where we are that is probably the best lineup we can put out there that we think will give us a chance to have some success,” Scott said. “Right now, that’s what we are going to continue to roll with and, hopefully, for one of the first times this year gain a little continuity.”

The Vols have struggled to find a reliable group week in and week out this season for various reasons. Projected starting right tackle Chance Hall suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason camp. Richmond missed the season opener against Georgia Tech due to suspension and Robertson was sidelined in the Vols’ 17-13 win against UMass with an injury.

Only two linemen — Kendrick and Smith — have started every game, and 5-star recruit Smith is the lone member of the offensive line to start all five games at the same position. Kendrick has started at three positions before settling into right guard.

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But the lineup the Vols trotted out in a 41-0 loss to No. 5 Georgia is the one that Tennessee feels good about against South Carolina (4-2, 2-2) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) and moving forward.

“The bye week was huge with five getting to play together,” Kendrick said. “I think we have settled into this lineup. Hopefully, we jell and we can make a big difference on the field.”

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Scott pointed to the bye week as a time where the offensive line returned to health, as players had played “through some bumps and bruises.” The on-field work was the most important element to Tatum, though, as he said the group is chasing after “championship consistency” that offensive line coach Walt Wells preaches.

Tatum, who has started at right tackle twice this season, stressed a need for more toughness and physicality.

“We haven’t played to our standard,” Tatum said. “We just need to keep getting better. There’s always room for improvement. We are still not considered one of the tougher O-lines in the country and we are still trying to prove a lot of doubters wrong. We have a lot of motivation still.”

Coach Butch Jones said Monday there are things the offensive line has done well to this point, but added Wednesday that bringing continuity to the table “helps immensely” with communication.

“I feel like we were good before,” Tatum said. “But now it will be solidified with more comfort with everybody else to see the same look over and over again.”