1. Wanya Morris, OL
There are a myriad of factors playing into Wanya Morris’ giant hands in his first season in Knoxville. The Vols are in desperate need of help on the offensive line, he enrolled early and got a head start on learning concepts and learning how to practice under Pruitt and Co., and he’s uber talented and has more natural prowess than most of the other offensive linemen on UT’s roster.
When you mix all those together, it’s hard not to see Morris being a season-long starter for the Vols along the offensive line.
Morris seems to be the favorite to start at one of Tennessee’s tackle spots, and he could be joined by fellow freshman Darnell Wright. Even if veteran redshirt junior Marcus Tatum nabs one of the starting tackle spots, it’ll likely be Morris, not Wright, who takes the starting spot at the other tackle position.
The former five-star prospect has impressed with his strength and movement, and he was able to get an edge this spring by being an early enrollee and going through 15 spring practices.
This fall has so far done nothing to dissuade anyone from believing in Morris, and the 6-foot-4, 315-pound freshman looks to be a Week 1 starter on the offensive line. And unless he hits a wall at some point this season, he could be a season-long starter like Trey Smith was back in 2017. That doesn’t mean Morris will be a Freshman All-American like Smith was, but it speaks to the kind of talent and special skill he has regardless.
