Glen Elarbee had a moment this offseason when the transformation of Tennessee’s offensive line became particularly noticeable.
The Vols had just finished a lift. As Tennessee’s offensive line coach watched his players walk into the room, he was struck by how different the group looked physically.
“Man, that’s a pretty different-looking group of guys,” Elarbee recalled thinking.
The transformation extends beyond appearance.
Tennessee enters the 2026 season with increased size, developing young talent, positional flexibility, and competition throughout an offensive line room. Elarbee believes he has more legitimate options than almost any he’s coached during his time with the Vols.
“Without just sitting there and looking at every single one of them, this would definitely be one of the years that we probably have the most competition and options, especially returning guys and guys brought in and young guys developing,” Elarbee said.
The increased depth has made Elarbee’s pursuit of Tennessee’s best five more complicated.
David Sanders Jr. represents perhaps one of the most striking example of Tennessee’s physical development.
Elarbee remembers Sanders arriving at a Tennessee prospect camp as a high school junior weighing approximately 250 pounds. He now sees a substantially different player.
“Yeah, he’s incredible, man,” Elarbee said. “Like I would love one day to be able to walk around and look like that. It’d be pretty cool.”
Sanders is now 310 pounds.
The added size and strength have changed more than Sanders’ appearance. Elarbee said Sanders previously had to compensate technically for being lighter and not as strong. His physical development now gives him opportunities to use his technique differently.
“He’s pretty talented,” Elarbee said. “He’s as good looking as this possibly could be.”
But Tennessee’s improved physical profile isn’t limited to one of its most recognizable linemen.
Nic Moore is creating legitimate competition at center.
Elarbee described Moore as naturally powerful, strong, and physical. Early in camp, Elarbee saw him moving defenders six or seven yards off the line of scrimmage.
“As far as football goes, he’s taking a tremendous stride,” Elarbee said.
Moore isn’t simply preparing to provide emergency depth, either.
“He’s a snap away, so he knows it, and he’s talented enough to honestly push,” Elarbee said. “He’s got plenty of time to go push and try to start.”
Gabriel Osenda provides another example of the developing talent pushing the room forward.
Elarbee compared Osenda’s approach to that of a young Jesse Perry, praising how seriously he takes the game and his willingness to work.
“The game matters,” Elarbee said. “He takes notes. He cares. Like anything isn’t right, man, it hurts him. It cuts him to the bone.”
Osenda’s size and length also create a developmental challenge. Elarbee said he is still learning how to make his body move the way he needs it to, but his investment in improving has stood out.
“Golly, the way the guy stays the game and cares about the game, he’ll take a bat every single day,” Elarbee said.
Then there is Donovan Haslam, who might possess the most imposing trait of anyone in Elarbee’s room.
“Absolutely, the most physical dude since I’ve been here,” Elarbee said. “Not even question. He’s violent, like violent.”
Elarbee called that physicality Haslam’s “superpower.”
Yet even that doesn’t guarantee anything in a deeper Tennessee offensive line room. Elarbee said Haslam remains a little heavy, gets tired, and needs to improve how he moves.
That combination of talent and competition is part of what has changed the equation for Tennessee.
Players with legitimate physical traits are fighting for opportunities throughout the room. Others can play multiple positions, giving Elarbee more combinations to consider as he searches for a starting five.
Jesse Perry’s versatility is part of that equation, while Sham Umarov has developed to the point that Elarbee believes he can provide flexibility on the interior.
For Elarbee, the goal isn’t simply putting the five most impressive individual players on the field. It’s finding the five who function best together.
“It’s the best unit on field,” Elarbee said.
That search will continue throughout preseason camp.
The difference this year is the number of options Elarbee has to choose from.
Tennessee’s offensive line looks different physically. Young players are developing. Experienced players are being pushed. Versatility allows Elarbee to experiment with different combinations.
And as the competition raises the standard throughout the room, determining Tennessee’s best five may be more difficult than it has been in years.
For Elarbee, that’s a good problem to have.
“It’s like anything,” Elarbee said. “If you have competition, I think that makes a better period.”
