Tennessee fans can finally celebrate landing a major piece of its offense for the 2024 season.
Former LSU offensive tackle Zalance Heard has committed to Tennessee, per On3 Sports and Heard himself on Twitter/X.
The move isn't a surprising one but is still one of relief for Tennessee fans. Heard and Tennessee had been tied together since it was reported back in early January that the former was going to make a visit to Knoxville.
Suspicions were further raised on Friday evening when Heard's name was already showing in the school database as an active student.
Now, Vol fans can finally breathe easy knowing they just got a big answer - both literally and figuratively - to a major question that Josh Heupel and his offensive staff was facing after the 2023 season concluded.
There's still spring ball and fall camp to separate starters from the backups, but Heard's presence should wrap up the starting tackle positions along with John Campbell, Jr. The latter announced in December that he would be returning to Tennessee for one final season.
It was the second bit of good news the Vols got on the offensive line this week, as OL Jackson Lampley also announced his return for a sixth and final season. He will compete for the starting left guard position.
As such, the Vols now are starting to shape up on the offensive line, which will only make the ceiling higher for how far Nico Iamaleava and the Tennessee offense can ascend in what's shaping up to be an intriguing and promising 2024 season.
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