Volquest projects Tennessee’s two-deep depth chart for Week 1 vs. Virginia: Offense

Welcome to game week. The 2023 season is finally here with No. 10 Tennessee facing Virginia on Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon Eastern Time and the game will be televised by SEC.

On Monday, Tennessee will produce some sort of depth chart in its weekly game notes, most likely littered with multiple players bracketed as possible starters at positions.

Here, the Volquest staff makes its predictions — emphasis on predictions — for what the two-deep depth chart on offense might look like in Week 1 against Virginia.

Quarterback

StarterJoe Milton IIIBackupNico Iamaleava

There aren’t any questions at the most important position on the field. Joe Milton III is Tennessee’s starting quarterback. He enters the season as the face of the program. The Vols will go as he goes. Behind him is five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class according to the On3 ratings and the player who appears to be just fine waiting his turn behind Milton. Gaston Moore was impressive in the Orange & White Game back in April and Navy Shuler seems to be the fourth option.

Running Back

StarterJaylen Wright -or- Jabari SmallBackupDylan Sampson

Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small split the load in Tennessee’s underrated run game last season and that should be the case again in 2023. Wright has drawn rave reviews during the offseason and fall camp and Small is the veteran who leads by example in the room. Dylan Sampson was impressive as a freshman and should get more opportunities as a sophomore. Freshmen Cameron Seldon and Khalifa Keith are likely to see more time on special teams during their debut seasons, but could get their share of carries late in lopsided games. Freshman DeSean Bishop was injured during camp and will miss extended time.

Wide Receiver

StarterBru McCoyStarterRamel KeytonSlotDont’e Thornton -or-Squirrel WhiteBackupChas NimrodBackupKaleb Webb

The wide receiver positions seem mostly settled, aside from one important question. Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton have earned their roles as likely starters, but it’s to be determined in the slot. The Vols have two good options there in Squirrel White, who showed his chemistry with Milton in limited opportunities last season, and Oregon transfer Dont’e Thorntonn, who brings freaky size and speed to the position. Tennessee could also play White in the slot and send Thornton to one of the outside receiver positions. Coaches have continually praised redshirt freshmen Chas Nimrod and Kaleb Webb during camp.

Tight End

StarterJacob WarrenBackupMcCallan Castles

Tight ends coach Alec Abeln said during fall camp that he slept better at night after Jacob Warren announced he would be returning for one more season at Tennessee. McCallan Castles, the transfer from UC Davis, probably helps Abeln sleep better too. Freshman tight end Ethan Davis has a bright future and a ton of upside, but won’t be forced into a ton of early playing time thanks to the two veterans ahead of him on the depth chart.

Offensive Line

Left TackleJohn CampbellBackupGerald MinceyLeft GuardAndrej Kuric-or-Ollie LaneCenterOllie LaneBackupDayne Davis Right GuardJavontez SpragginsBackupJackson LampleyRight TackleJeremiah Crawford-or-Gerald Mincey

Offensive line is where projecting Tennessee’s Week 1 depth chart. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said Friday that the Vols feel good about their first five options up front and that they’ll be ready to roll against Virginia in Nashville on Saturday.

Cooper Mays will be the starting center when he’s healthy, but when that will be remains to be determined. Mays underwent what Josh Heupel described as a “minor procedure” on August 9, with the head coach adding that he expected it to be “a couple-week deal.” There hasn’t been much of an update since then, but the expectation is that Mays won’t be ready for Virginia.

With no Mays, the expectation is that Ollie Lane will be the center and Dayne Davis will back him up. John Campbell started 11 of 12 games at Miami last season before transferring to Tennessee. Javontez Spraggins started all 13 games at right guard last season and is an All-SEC preseason pick entering 2023.

There will likely be some bracketed “-or-” spots on the offensive line, perhaps at left guard and right tackle. Jeremiah Crawford and Gerald Mincey rotated at left tackle last season and those rotations will likely continue on the offensive line this season, unless Glen Elarbee settles on a consistent five.

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