Pruitt: Tennessee OL Chance Hall giving up football

At Tennessee’s signing day celebration in Nashville tonight, head coach Jeremy Pruitt broke a bit of news. Pruitt said offensive lineman Chance Hall is “giving up football” due to injuries. Hall will go on medical scholarship.

The rising fifth-year senior was a starter on the Tennessee offensive line when healthy. Unfortunately for Hall, examples of him being healthy were few and far between. Hall started seven games as a freshman in 2015, but was limited to just six games as a sophomore. He lost his entire 2017 season due to an injury in camp, then appeared in eight games last season.

There was some serious doubt as to whether or not Hall would be able to return to the team in 2018. To Hall’s credit, he gave it everything he had to get back. Sometimes in football, your body simply works against you. Hall fought through both shoulder and knee injuries during his time in Knoxville.

It’s yet another blow to the depth up front for Tennessee. Drew Richmond’s name remains in the transfer portal and the odds seem to be slim that he returns. Tanner Antonutti retired from football earlier in the offseason, while Trey Smith’s status remains unknown as he tries to battle back from blood clots.

Thankfully for Tennessee, they’ll add five offensive linemen from their 2019 class. Both Wanya Morris and Chris Akporoghene have already enrolled. Darnell Wright should arrive ready to play in the fall. He’ll be joined by Jackson Lampley and Melvin McBride. How those fresh faces perform will go a long way in determining how this new Jim Chaney offense looks this season.