Why Tennessee Volunteers' Offensive Line Struggles Matter

By Dr. Josh Greer

The Tennessee Volunteers’ offensive line performance in their recent matchup against the Florida Gators exposed key areas that need improvement for the Vols to succeed in SEC play. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading, the line had a mixed showing, with standout performances from some, while others struggled to handle Florida’s defense.

Understanding these grades is crucial, as the offensive line is the foundation of Tennessee’s offensive scheme, and their performance directly impacts the effectiveness of the entire offense.

PFF Grades Breakdown—the raw number grades given on the scale above for every play are then converted by PFF to a 0–100-point scale which results in the PFF grades for each player for each game. A grade of 60 is considered average. Grades in the 70s can be considered above average, the 80s are considered really good, and above 90 is elite.

Cooper Mays — 75.8

Mays was the most reliable player on Tennessee’s line, earning a solid 75.8 grade. His performance in both pass protection and run blocking provided some stability to the offensive front.

Dayne Davis — 63.9 (10 plays)

Playing only 10 snaps, Davis put up a respectable grade of 63.9. Though his impact was limited, his solid contributions in those few plays show that he can be a serviceable option when called upon.

Jackson Lampley — 61.6 (10 plays)

Like Davis, Lampley only played 10 snaps, earning a slightly lower grade of 61.6. While not particularly impressive, his play was steady.

John Campbell — 55.6

Campbell, who played a significant number of snaps, struggled mightily, posting a grade of 55.6.

Andrej Karic — 54.8

Karic’s 54.8 grade reflects similar struggles to Campbell’s.

Javontez Spraggins — 51.4

Spraggins had a rough outing with a grade of 51.4.

Lance Heard — 38.3

Heard’s grade of 38.3 is the lowest on the line and highlights major issues. His performance was a clear liability, and such low grades often indicate frequent mistakes, missed assignments, and an overall inability to handle opposing defensive players.

The offensive line is the heartbeat of any offense. When the line struggles, as Tennessee’s did against Florida, it has a cascading effect on every aspect of the offensive scheme.

For Tennessee, which thrives on a fast-paced, dynamic offense, having to simplify the playbook puts the team at a disadvantage. It also makes the offense more predictable, allowing opposing defenses to anticipate plays and adjust their own schemes accordingly.

Tennessee’s offensive line grades against Florida painted a picture of a unit that is inconsistent and struggling to gel as a cohesive front. While Cooper Mays provided a strong performance, the rest of the line faltered, which affected the entire offensive scheme. The lack of consistent protection and run blocking forced the Volunteers to deviate from their ideal offensive game plan, leading to a lack of rhythm and reduced efficiency.

If Tennessee is going to compete in the SEC and beyond, improving the offensive line will be critical. The line’s performance impacts every level of the offense, and without better play up front, the Vols will continue to face challenges against top-tier defenses.