NEWS NOW: Tennessee OL Lance Heard Threatens To Leave The Club If OL Coah Glen Elarbee Continues As…

Lance Heard’s growth is discussed by Glen Elarbee, the Tennessee OL coach.

An important component of Tennessee’s puzzle for this year.

This spring, Tennessee is in the midst of a slight offensive line reorganization up front, but it’s always easier to make these kind of changes when you have access to top players. Lance Heard, a former five-star prospect in the class of 2023, made a significant transfer commitment to the Volunteers this summer.

Heard spent just one season with the Tigers at LSU before transferring. According to On3, he was regarded as the class’s No. 2 tackle throughout his cycle. Heard is anticipated to take over as the starting left tackle this autumn after arriving in Knoxville.

According to Glen Elarbee, the offensive line coach for Tennessee, “I think he’s adjusting really, really well,” on Monday. “He’s handled it perfectly: he’s been silent, wise, and steps in when necessary. He has shown some extremely impressive flashes. Even though he’s still young and we need to work on some technique, man, he shows up for work every day. The space adores him.

The 6-6, 335-pound tackle played mostly as a reserve or special teams player in all 12 of LSU’s games during the previous campaign. Heard started just one game this year, and that was against Army. Heard’s route to starting for Tennessee as a sophomore is obvious now that Gerald Mincey is no longer at Kentucky.

“The guy has unbelievable length and natural ability,” Elarbee said. “So, protecting the passer is going to be a big improvement, and he’s just a big human. The ability to go move 4i’s in the run game, I felt like (Darnell Wright), that’s where he changed our run game a lot. He’d go and just dent a 4i. I feel like Lance is going to have that ability too.

“He’s really just going through his first offseason. So, some of the intricacies of just learning the game inside and out, he knows it, but experience and reps just build that bank of what’s going on and how to adjust to certain situations. I think that’s just part of his growth and development.”

Mincey’s move out and Heard’s move in have put John Campbell at right tackle this spring. Standouts Cooper Mays and Javontez Spraggins return on the interior, while Andrej Karic works back from injury. Tennessee’s offensive line is seemingly set, and Elarbee is working to build that depth in these 15 practices this spring.

Heard says it’s just a matter of getting used to a completely new, fast-paced offense. This appears to be a significant improvement for Tennessee right now. We are aware of the potential of this rushing attack, and Elarbee seems enthusiastic about Dylan Sampson and company’s ability to sprint behind Heard’s enormous body.

Elarbee stated, “I believe he’s exactly where he needs to be, right on schedule.” “Seeing his face in the meeting room every day is a pleasure to behold.”