Former Tennessee Vols standout involved in one of NFL's biggest training camp position battles

A former Tennessee Vols standout is involved one of the biggest position battles of the summer as NFL training camps get underway this month.

Former Tennessee offensive lineman Wanya Morris is battling rookie Kingsley Suamataia for the starting left tackle job with the Kansas City Chiefs (Suamataia was a second round selection by the Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft).

The left tackle job in Kansas City is one of the most important jobs in the NFL as it's the player that's responsible for blocking superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side.

Morris, a third round selection by the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft, played the first two years of his college career at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma for his final two seasons.

The former five-star recruit started four games at left tackle for the Chiefs as a rookie last season.

It looks like Morris will get the first shot at winning the job -- though it won't be given to him by default, he'll have to earn it -- based on The Athletic's report that the former Vol received the first first-team reps at training camp this past weekend.

From The Athletic : In the lone major position battle on the entire roster entering camp, Reid decided to have Wanya Morris, a second-year player, get the first repetition at left tackle in the team period over rookie Kingsley Suamataia, the Chiefs’ second-round pick. Reid rotated Suamataia in at left tackle for the fourth repetition, the same repetition in which Mahomes completed his deep pass to Worthy. Before the Chiefs have their first padded practice, Reid could have Morris and Suamataia split the first-team repetitions.

Morris should have plenty of opportunities in training camp to show that he's grown as a pass blocker. He'll have to win reps against Chiefs defensive linemen George Karlaftis and Chris Jones during camp if he's going to impress Kansas City's coaching staff.

If Morris shows he can effectively block Karlaftis and Jones during camp, then he should quickly earn the trust of the Chiefs' coaches.

Morris has the advantage in this battle thanks to his experience as a rookie in 2023, but he'll certainly have his work cut out for him as he looks to hold off Suamataia.

Related: Tennessee fans noticed the Vols are getting disrespected in a very real life way in new EA Sports College Football game