Expectations are rising for the lone returning piece of Tennessee football’s offensive line.
Left tackle Lance Heard, after transferring in following one season at LSU, took over the most important position on the line in 2024. This initial season was turbulent, though, as Heard struggled to find his footing.
Playing a big factor in Heard, a former five-star recruit, not being able to put together a high-level season was the injuries he had to play through. This set him back and made it tough for him to be as physical as he needs to be a premier left tackle in the SEC.
“It was never a point in last year where I was feeling 100% healthy,” Heard said. “I was always battling something. I think the biggest challenge was battling the mental. I had never been that low. That was probably one of the lowest points of my life. But I still came and grinded. I still love the game. But that was a big challenge for me mentally and I feel like I’m pretty mentally strong.”
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Now, Heard is in a position to be a completely different player. With the chance to catch his breath and get healthy, he’s going to be looked at as the star of the show up front.
This has started with him transforming his body for the season. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel noted Heard has done a great job this offseason to get into playing shape. He’s kept the necessary mass, but is much more agile.
This could make a world of a difference for him in pass protection and in making a push on run plays.
“A lot different physically. Just what his body looks like,” Heupel said. “His ability to move. A year ago, he got nicked up multiple times early in the season. Training camp, in the early part of the season. I think that limited his ability to grow as a really young player who had only had one fall before he had gotten here. He wasn’t a mid-year enrollee either. I think all of that has led to him really growing throughout the course of spring. He’s done a great job during the course of the summer and now we’ve got to go take it to the field here in the fall.”
Heard will likely be flanked by five-star freshman David Sanders Jr. at right tackle this season. On the interior, Sam Pendleton and Wendell Moe Jr., a pair of transfers, can be penciled in as starters.
The question is, where will Pendleton play? He is naturally a guard, but could get some reps at center. If he sticks to guard, it’s likely that second-year William Satterwhite would be the option to play center. If Pendleton plays center, this may open up a spot for Sham Umarov at guard.
No matter who fills in around him, as the lone returner, Heard will have a lot on his plate. So far, he seems up for the task.
