KNOXVILLE, TN - November 18, 2023 - Offensive lineman Dayne Davis #66 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Dayne Davis, a fellow offensive lineman with the Vols, has announced his return to Tennessee football in 2024.
at one more season, Dayne Davis will play football at Tennessee.
On Thursday, the offensive tackle for the Vols made the choice to return Tennessee. for a sixth season using X, a website that was formerly known as Twitter.
“With another year left of eligibility, I’ll be staying in Knoxville to compete for a championship one last year with my brothers,” wrote Davis. “Home is where my heart is, Rocky Top Tennessee.”
Over the last three seasons, the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Davis has participated in 39 games. He arrived at UT as a walk-on and was awarded a scholarship in December 2020.
Tennessee football now has another returning offensive tackle in Dayne Davis.
Along with John Crawford and Cooper Mays, Davis is an offensive lineman who has declared his intention to return to UT for a second season. Last season, Crawford started at left tackle and Mays as the starting center for UT. Javontez Spraggins, an offensive guard, has not yet made his decision, but he is anticipated to return for the 2024 campaign.
Mays, a product of Knoxville Catholic, returned from a minor medical surgery during the preseason to start the final eight games of the 2023 regular season. He’s participated in 39 games, starting 31 of them at center.
After transferring from Miami, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Campbell began in 10 games at left tackle in his debut season at UT. Over his 43-game career, Campbell has made 27 starts. He played in 34 games at Miami, starting 18.
On November 18, Spraggins sustained an injury that ended his season against Georgia. With 37 starts, he has participated in 44 games. Jackson Lampley, the guard, might also come back.
Gerald Mincey, an offensive tackle, went through the portal and transferred to Kentucky after announcing his return. His third SEC school will be in the UK. He moved from Florida to UT.
The implications of Dayne Davis’s comeback for Tennessee football
With the graduation of Mincey and Jeremiah Crawford, Tennessee lost two offensive tackle prospects. Campbell, who merited the starting left tackle position, is back. Davis will also be available as a right tackle option for the upcoming campaign. Davis has experience playing center on the line among other spots. If it so chooses, UT may use him in a variety of capacities.
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UT’s offensive line performed admirably in 2023 at stopping runs, and it looks good that many of the important players are returning. Presumably, the Vols still wish to expand their offensive line options through the transfer portal.
