Transfer Spotlight – Tennessee OL Cade Mays
At CFB Saturdays we recognize that the landscape is always changing in College Football and the undeniable impact transfers have had on our beloved sport in recent history. Transfers have gone on to make College Football Playoff runs, win the Heisman, the National Championship, and become top NFL Draft Picks (Joe Burrow recently accomplished all of the above). Over the next few days, we will take a look at the potential impact of top Transfers in 2020 in our Transfer Spotlight Series. Today we take a look at Tennessee OL Cade Mays who is currently ranked 10th in our 2020 Top 25 OT Rankings.
A Versatile Stud at Georgia
Mays entered his true freshmen season expected to be a key reserve on the offensive line. That changed when Andrew Brown went down with an injury and Mays had to enter the starting lineup. Mays played well and only got better with each start. That season he played in 11 games and ended up starting seven of them (he missed a few games due to injury). The emerging star cemented his place as a top player on a loaded Georgia offensive line.
In 2019 the versatility of Mays was on display. Mays played in all 14 games and started 11 of them, including six at right guard, two at right tackle, two at left guard, and one at LT (Sugar Bowl v. Baylor). Those contributions came on an offensive line that included 2nd Team All SEC performer Trey Hill, #4 overall draft pick Andrew Brown, first rounder Isaiah Wilson, fourth rounder Solomon Kindley, and a handful of other talented linemen. There is no denying that Mays is an upper echelon talent and competitor even in a crowded room.
Sudden Change of Heart
Cade Mays announced he would be transferring just days after starting at LT in the All State Sugar Bowl. Reports quickly surfaced that the Knoxville native would be returning home to Tennessee and Mays made it official just some hours later. This was an excellent addition for Tennessee and helps fortify an already promising offensive line.
Head coach Jeremy Pruitt led the Volunteers to an 8-5 record in 2019, improving on a 5-7 record in his transitional first year. The Volunteers have recruited well up front including two five star tackle prospects and it appears Mays will be the missing piece. The offense was abysmal in conference play failing to score more than 20 points in five such games. The inability to establish a consistent rushing attack was a big reason for the struggles and the addition of Mays will help the ground game immediately.
Breaking down Tennessee OL Cade Mays
Cade Mays has prototypical size (6’6” 318) and above average athleticism for an offensive linemen. This combination allows him to play every position on the line (he even played at center against Missouri). Mays is a good pass blocker who displays the patience and footwork necessary to handle pass rushers on the edge. His tremendous run blocking is probably his most valuable asset as he moves defenders routinely at the line of scrimmage and at the second level.
The rising junior is a damn good player and one who has no major weaknesses in his game. That does not mean he is without limitations, however. If he were a little lighter on his feet in pass protection (he is still plenty good in this regard) we would be talking about a top-10 draft pick.
The Impact of Cade Mays
The Tennessee offensive line already returns a very talented unit but Mays will take it to another level. LT Wanya Morris is a five star recruit who started 12 games as a true freshman and should only get better. LG Trey Smith was 1st team AP All-SEC in 2019 and returns for his senior season. At C Brandon Kennedy (an Alabama transfer) returns after starting every game and playing well. Former five star Darnell Wright enters his sophomore season having started five games at RT and two games at RG.
Morris and Wright are expected to take a second year leap and become two of the best linemen in the conference. Couple that with the NFL talent and experience on the interior and this offensive line will be one of the nation’s best.
Cade Mays does need a waiver granting immediate eligibility but there is optimism that will happen. The bigger question is whether he will start at RG or RT (and move Wright inside). In the end it might not matter, as this unit is full of Day 1 and 2 NFL Draft picks anyway you slice it.
Pruitt is known for his defense and that side of the ball showed improvement in the second half of 2019. With a former defensive coordinator as the head man it is reasonable to expect more improvement this season.
Scoring points, however, was a problem. The offense will feature new faces at WR and need better play at QB (Guarantano or otherwise) for the Volunteers to take a step forward. If that happens there will be plenty to cheer about in Knoxville in 2020 and beyond.
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GA VS LSU E101318 27 image taken by Tammy Anthony Baker is licensed under CC BY 2.0
