Gerald Mincey has been a pleasant surprise at left tackle for the Tennessee Volunteers.

The position was up in the air in preseason camp. Mincey, a Florida transfer, was battling with Jerimiah Crawford for the position in a glaring weakness on the line. Instead, Mincey has turned it into a strength.

Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh addressed Mincey’s growth Tuesday.

Perhaps the biggest weakness of Tennessee’s offense last year was the line, more specifically depth at the line. Injuries really plagued the Vols, and so far Tennessee has been healthy this year.

Knock on wood.

The Vols are back in action this week against Akron, looking to improve to 3-0 on the season before a date against Florida on Sept. 24.