The Return of John Campbell Jr. to Tennessee
John Campbell Jr., an offensive lineman for the Tennessee Volunteers, declared on Monday night that he will rejoin the squad in 2024.
On Monday, Tennessee experienced a lot of roster movement, which was seen in the number of portal departures. On Monday night, they finally got some good news when it was revealed that John Campbell Jr. will be returning for his final year of eligibility.
Campbell played football for Miami and is currently an offensive tackle for Tennessee. Standing at roughly 6 feet 5 inches and 320 pounds as a sixth-year senior, he will be competing in his seventh year when he first announces his intention to rejoin the Volunteers.
For the Tennessee offensive line, this is crucial because they anticipate losing a few players to the transfer portal earlier in the day, including Connor Meadows and Addison Nichols. Despite having only played one season at Tennessee, the senior had an instant impact as a Rocky Top starter and has since proven to be a formidable force at tackle. After his play against the Kentucky Wildcats, he was chosen to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list and won the SEC offensive lineman of the week award.
Before electing to join the Volunteers, Campbell played with the Hurricanes for five years. The Volunteers are hoping to bring back Cooper Mays and Javontez Spraggins, two of the lineman, as this is a big indication for them. Since the line will already look somewhat different next season, having an experienced presence at the end of the line will be crucial. This is a tremendous start and one less position they will have to worry about when it comes to establishing a starter.
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Tennessee’s prospects of landing an excellent 5-star recruit could be harmed by their recent “good news.”
On Monday night, the Tennessee Vols were blessed with some excellent news. However, does this mean that they will lose out on one of their top remaining recruits for 2024?
John Campbell, an offensive tackle, made the announcement on Monday night that he will be playing his final season of eligibility at Tennessee. After starting 10 games at left tackle for the Vols in 2023, Campbell should be able to hold down the position in 2024.
It’s fantastic news for Tennessee that Campbell will be returning for another season. According to Pro Football Focus, the Miami transfer graded out as Tennessee’s second-best pass blocker in 2023 (72.8), trailing only right guard Javontez Spraggins (76.8).
However, Jordan Seaton, a five-star offensive tackle in 2024, may make a choice soon in light of Campbell’s comeback.
Seaton wants early “position availability” and will make his announcement on Thursday. One of Seaton’s best possibilities, Ohio State, is able to provide the gifted recruit with that come autumn.
After visiting Ohio State this past weekend, Seaton told On3 that “the biggest highlight for me was the position availability they (Ohio State) will have next year.” The squad is made up of a large number of seniors as well as guys who are considered developmental players and will need to wait a year or two to have a shot. They believe that I am an easy-to-install individual.”
Although right tackle Gerald Mincey, who has one more season of eligibility left, is anticipated to return in 2024, Tennessee may have a right tackle opening. However, Seaton probably prefers to play left tackle (most five-star offensive tackles are targeting left tackle because it’s the position on the offensive line that pays the most salary in the NFL).
In the end, I don’t believe Seaton’s choice will be significantly impacted by Campbell’s return. It might be a “tiebreaker” for the outstanding offensive tackle prospect if he is evenly split between Ohio State and Tennessee.
Fans of the Vols won’t have to wait long to find out, which is excellent news. Seaton is scheduled to make his announcement on Thursday.
