Offseason battle that Tennessee lost to Deion Sanders is coming back to haunt the Vols

The Tennessee Vols split a pair of huge offseason battles against Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes late last year.

Tennessee landed stud defensive back Boo Carter over Colorado. Sanders and the Buffaloes badly wanted to sign Carter , but Tennessee was able to seal the deal and bring the dynamic defensive back to Rocky Top.

The Vols weren't, however, able to land five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton over Sanders and Colorado.

Tennessee threw everything they had at Seaton. Carter and Vols offensive lineman John Campbell were even on Instagram live with Seaton during the early signing period trying to convince the talented offensive lineman to join them in Knoxville . Seaton went back and forth on his decision before ultimately choosing to sign with Colorado.

Seaton, despite being a true freshman, has emerged as a key player for Colorado this season. The Washington DC area native has been Colorado's highest graded (via PFF) pass blocker this season. Seaton is also the highest graded true freshman pass blocker in the nation so far in 2024.

Tennessee, meanwhile, has struggled at the tackle positions in 2024. LSU transfer Lance Heard, who is starting at left tackle for the Vols, missed a couple of games due to injury earlier this season. Heard has struggled since returning two weeks ago, recording a 38.3 offensive grade on 72 snaps against Florida and a 42.2 offensive grade on 68 snaps against Arkansas.

Vols right tackle John Campbell has also struggled in recent weeks with a 55.6 offensive grade on 62 snaps against Florida and a 47.4 offensive grade against Arkansas on 55 plays.

Heard and Campbell are better than what their grades indicate, but they've had some struggles this season. One theory is that it's a conditioning issue. Heard has missed time and Campbell is believed to be limited at times during practice due to a knee issue.

Whatever the case, the Vols have to be better along the offensive line if they're going to have a chance to reach the playoff in December.

Having Seaton, an obviously elite talent, on the roster would certainly help. It would provide Tennessee with elite depth and it would give the Vols a better option if Heard or Campbell have to leave to a game (either due to injury or fatigue).

You can't win every recruiting battle. And Tennessee did everything they could to land Seaton. The allure of playing for Coach Prime (and a middling Colorado program), however, was too much for Tennessee to overcome.

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