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Improved OL depth obvious this spring

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Brett Kendrick is making the most of his opportunities this spring. The Vols are without two presumed starters up front in Jashon Robertson and Chance Hall and center Coleman Thomas was out last week.

As a result, the Vols have been using a variety of combinations on the first team offensive line and Kendrick has been turning some heads with his play.

One of those heads being turned belongs to head coach Butch Jones, who went out of his way to compliment Kendrick following Saturday’s scrimmage work inside Neyland Stadium.

Jones elaborated on those comments today, noting that Kendrick’s versatility has been key to his improvement this spring.

Kendrick started five games in 2015 before an elbow injury ended his season, all at right tackle. This spring he’s seen time at both tackle spots but Jones says that’s not nearly the only place he may help out in 2016.

“That's the great thing about Brett. Brett has the ability to play a number of spots. He can play both guard positions. He can play both tackle positions. We are even trying to get him some reps at center as well,” Jones said of Kendrick.

“Again, it comes down to finding the best five, then the best six, seven, eight and putting out there the best individuals on the team who can help you win.”

Kendrick, along with other offensive lineman like Jack Jones, Charles Mosley and Venzell Boulware serve to really highlight the roster makeover Jones has been able to engineer.

Even two years ago, if the Vols had been down three likely starters on the offensive line as they were this past Saturday, the result would have likely been a hodgepodge starting five of walk-ons and projects.

These days, the reserves consist almost exclusively of guys who were highly sought after recruits and prospects with bright futures.

Jones acknowledges that it’s the quality depth along the offensive front is far different from where it was in the first couple years of his tenure.

Now the goal for the head coach his to replicate that all over his roster. A process that’s well underway, but hasn’t yet reached the level Jones thinks it needs to—and can—get to.

“You see it (the improvement). Now we need to get the point on the defensive line that we’re at on the offensive line. That’s recruiting over a long period of time.

There are lot of competitive spots on this roster right now, a lot of competitive position groups. That’s one thing we talk about, ‘the power of the position and being ‘nine strong.’ It’s been very healthy but they’re still learning.”

DRIVEN RICHMOND MAKING PROGRESS

The eyes of teammates, coaches and fans have been squarely on offensive tackle Drew Richmond since he signed with Tennessee in February 2015. After a redshirt season, Richmond has stepped into a spot with the first-team offensive line and hit the ground running this spring.

"Drew has been very driven," Butch Jones said. "Drew continues to progress. I've been very pleased with him, and I think it's the maturity of him understanding snap-and-clear [mentality]. If you make a mistake, make a mistake going a million miles per hour and then play the next play and don't let that one snap beat you. Drew has done a much better job of that."

The large and rangy offensive tackle could have easily went through the motions last season, but instead he went to work in the area where he could improve and that's in redefining his body.

"He's worked very hard in the weight room," Jones said. "He's added strength and he still needs to get stronger. He has the athleticism and definitely has the ability, and I've been really, really happy with his progress because it's important to him."

The praise has been easy for Jones to throw in the way of the Memphis native. But he's also quick to point out that he still has a long way to go to where he hopes Richmond is this fall.

"I think every day is a learning experience for him," Jones said. "Especially when you play the left tackle spot. It's coming at you every play. Again, I think it's the consistency and performance day in and day out, practice in and practice out, period in and period out. All of those are very important and he's learning. He's going through his first spring and now he's learning as he goes."

Wednesday the group that just graduated will partake in Pro Day and some of those players were made available earlier today. Offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson has been around the program this spring as he prepares for a professional push and he's been impressed by the current lineman. He has high hopes for them as a group and for one young guy looking to prove himself.

"I mean Drew (Richmond) is really stepping up," Kerbyson said. "He's someone that hasn't played a lot and they are putting a lot of pressure on him right now. They have him as the 1 left (tackle) and they are saying go out there and prove yourself. It depends on how he works this spring and this upcoming summer as to where he's going to be.

"Is he going to stress out and not be able to perform because they are throwing it on his shoulders or is he going to rise to the occasion? They are expecting big things out of Drew, and I am too because I think he can be a really good player."

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