Vols Land Key JUCO Tackle Dontavius Blair

Faced with the possibility of losing five offensive line starters at the end of the year, the line was perhaps the biggest position of need for Tennessee in the 2014 recruiting class. And, given that offensive line generally has a lower incidence of freshman contributors than the skill positions and that current Vols underclassmen tended more towards the interior, getting JUCO help at tackle was perhaps the biggest need on the line.

Well Tuesday night, Tennessee got their JUCO help in the form of mammoth offensive tackle Dontavius Blair from Garden City Community College. Blair stands 6'8" and weighs in at a touch over 300 pounds, drawing a four-star rating from every major scouting service. 247 listed him the #5 JUCO tackle in the country, and it showed in his offer list, with Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Southern Cal all making offers.

But Blair chose Tennessee, where he will surely be expected to take over immediately and man one position on the offensive line. Blair makes Tennessee fourth offensive lineman committed for the 2014 and first JUCO, and his pledge will surely be welcome news for elite running back commitment Jalen Hurd and the promising returners at the skill positions who will be looking to take a major step forward in Butch Jones' second year on campus.

Welcome, Dontavius!