University of Tennessee Athletics
Position Outlook: Offensive Tackle
June 16, 2004 | Football
June 16, 2004
2004 ROSTER | NEWCOMERS | SCHEDULE | POSITION OUTLOOKS
Even from junior college ranks, it's seldom the case that a player arrives on campus for spring workouts and emerges at the close of the offseason drills designated for duty with the first-team.
Nothing is written in concrete (and won't be until fall) but Albert Toeaina may have pulled off that rare feat. Pending reconsideration under the intense August sun that has wilted many a spring flower, Toeaina is listed as a starter at right tackle, complementing the veteran Michael Munoz, who will hold forth at the other tackle slot.
Toeaina, who had glowing high school credentials as an All-Conference, All-State and All-America selection, brings a 6-6, 350-pound frame to the offensive line. He molded his game at City College of San Francisco.
"Size and strength are the things everybody talks about with Albert," said offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens. "He just needs to put it all together so he's not thinking so much that it takes away his aggressiveness."
Munoz passed up the possibility of casting his lot with the NFL last spring and chose to return for his senior season.
Michael's sturdiness is reflected in his resume, which shows 36 consecutive starts as a Vol, a streak that will continue when the Vols battle UNLV in the Sept. 5 opener at Neyland Stadium.
"Michael has to be one of the top offensive linemen in the country," Stephens said. "He excells in all areas in terms of knowledge, pass blocking and run blocking."
The Vols need to uncover some reserves capable of performing at the high level required in the Southeastern Conference. Redshirt freshmen Eric Young and Steven Jones add depth to the position.
| RETURNING OFFENSIVE TACKLES | ||||||
| 71 | Steven Jones | 6-4 | 310 | Fr. | Sq. | Brentwood (Brentwood) |
| 77 | Michael Munoz | 6-6 | 315 | Sr. | 3L | Mason, Ohio (Moeller) |
| 72 | Albert Toeaina | 6-6 | 350 | Jr. | JC | Antioch, Calif. (City College. of S.F.) |
| 54 | Eric Young | 6-4 | 300 | Fr. | Sq. | Union, S.C. (Union) |
?
