Tennessee football got some clarity on the future of its offensive line on Tuesday. On the same day that LSU redshirt freshman tackle Ory Williams committed to the Vols, Delaware tackle Anwar O’Neal committed to Louisville, according to CBS.
O’Neal picked the Cardinals over Tennessee and Mississippi State. He planned visits to all three, but Louisville was the first school he checked out before scheduling trips to Knoxville and Starkville.
O’Neal started for two years at Delaware. The Blue Hens listed him as a junior on their roster this past year, but he only played in two games as a true freshman in 2023. This should give him two more years of eligibility.
Last season, O’Neal started in 12 games, including the bowl game, all at left tackle. On the year, he produced a PFF overall grade of 67.1. As a pass blocker, it was up to a 68.0 mark.
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It remains to be seen what Tennessee will do at its open tackle spot, though. Even with the addition of Williams, his youth and inexperience don’t necessarily make him a sure-fire first-year starter.
The Vols will likely slide five-star David Sanders Jr. over to left tackle after he shone on the right side this year. This comes after Lance Heard decided to transfer for his final year of eligibility. To replace Sanders on the right side of the line, it could be Williams, Jesse Perry, five-star freshman Gabriel Osenda or another transfer.
On the interior, UT is projected to return starting center Sam Pendleton and guards Wendell Moe Jr. and Sham Umarov. Perry also got plenty of run at right guard as he split time between the inside and outside with Sanders banged up to begin the year.
