Tennessee offensive lineman declares intention to use transfer portal
It appears like another young offensive lineman from Tennessee is leaving. Addison Nichols, a redshirt freshman, revealed on his Instagram account on Monday night that he intends to use the NCAA transfer portal. After injuries affected Tennessee’s offensive line, the Top247 concluded his second season with the Vols by playing a significant role in the team’s victory over Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale.
The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Nichols entered his second season with Rocky Top, where he was a backup centre and a starting left guard, though he was not in the starting lineup for the majority of the campaign. He played on the field goal and extra point protection units in addition to appearing in all 12 games and getting offensive snaps in six of them. Against Vanderbilt, Nichols played 116 offensive snaps in 2023, 67 of which were at left guard.
In 2022, Nichols redshirted and played in two games, so he will still be eligible for three seasons.
“I want to thank the University of Tennessee, everyone I’ve been fortunate enough to meet here, and the most loyal fans in the country, for shaping me into the man and athlete I am today. I will carry so many lessons and cherished memories with me, always.
“However, after much consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. I look forward to seeing what my next chapter holds.
Nichols was a four-time all-state player in high school and a team captain his last two seasons. He committed to Tennessee in August 2021, choosing the Vols over Ohio State and North Carolina from among an offer list of 30 programs, including eight in the SEC. He enrolled at Tennessee in January 2022.
During his freshman season in 2022, Nichols played four snaps at left guard in his debut in the opener against Ball State and eight snaps later in the season against UT Martin and maintained his redshirt.
After cross-training at center and the guard spots during spring practice and preseason camp this year, Nichols played 12 snaps at right guard in the 2023 season opener against Virginia, but the rest of his playing time on offense came at left guard. He played 22 snaps against Connecticut on Homecoming and also appeared late in the games against UTSA (six snaps), Missouri (six) and Georgia (three). Injuries to
Javontez Spraggins and Andrej Karic tested Tennessee’s depth at guard for the Vanderbilt game, and Nichols came off the bench to play at left guard early against the Commodores when starting center Cooper Mays went out with an injury and Ollie Lane slid over from left guard in the last of countless shuffles Tennessee’s offensive line had to make during an injury-hit season.
He earned an 85.0 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus against Vanderbilt for not allowing any pressures on 40 pass-blocking snaps.
“I think Addison’s come a long way, for sure,” Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said in late October. “He’s taken leaps and bounds from probably the beginning of the season. He’s just learned how to practice, learned how to compete, … so really excited for him
