Hooked From Baton Rouge to Rocky Top: Can Lance Heard Become Tennessee’s Next Offensive Line Anchor in 2025?
Junior Lance Heard enters his second season at Tennessee in 2025 after transferring from LSU. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman has spent the last year not only adjusting to a new program but redefining his trajectory as a major SEC contributor. When Heard first arrived at LSU, he carried the kind of hype reserved for rare offensive line prospects—size, length, agility, and high school accolades that made him one of the most coveted recruits in the country. But as is often the case in college football, sometimes talent isn’t enough when opportunity and system don’t align. That mismatch led to his transfer to Tennessee, a move that might be the defining decision of his collegiate career.
The Volunteers welcomed Heard with open arms. At a time when their offensive line was in flux due to injuries, graduations, and draft departures, bringing in someone with Heard’s pedigree was both a necessity and a calculated risk. Tennessee didn’t just need depth—they needed someone who could anchor the line, hold off elite pass rushers, and create running lanes in an offense that thrives on tempo and physicality. In spring practices, Heard began flashing the potential that made him a household name in recruiting circles. His footwork had improved. His understanding of Tennessee’s offensive schemes deepened. Most importantly, his confidence returned.
The 2024 season was a growth year. While he wasn’t perfect, he showed versatility, lining up at both tackle spots and even seeing some snaps inside. Coaches loved his willingness to learn, but they loved his nastiness in the trenches even more. He played with a chip on his shoulder, often dominating less experienced defensive linemen and holding his own against top-tier SEC talent. By the end of the season, it was clear: Heard wasn’t just a transfer experiment. He was a foundational piece for Tennessee’s 2025 plans.
Fast forward to the summer of 2025, and the narrative has shifted. No longer a new face in Knoxville, Lance Heard enters his second year with expectations that match his massive frame. The Vols believe he can be a difference-maker. He’s now one of the most experienced linemen on the roster and one of the vocal leaders of the unit. This summer, Heard has taken that role seriously. He’s mentoring younger linemen, pushing teammates in workouts, and setting a tone that the offensive line will not be the weak link this fall. If anything, it might be the program’s greatest strength.
One of the most intriguing things about Heard’s game is his athletic ceiling. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he moves with an agility that shouldn’t be possible for someone his size. Tennessee offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has compared him to some of the best tackles he’s ever worked with, emphasizing his quick kick step and ability to reset against elite edge rushers. What separates Heard isn’t just his physical traits—it’s his mental approach. After the LSU experience, he carries a hunger to prove he belongs among the SEC’s elite. He doesn’t just want to play. He wants to dominate.
The 2025 season will offer no shortage of challenges. Tennessee opens the year against a Power Five opponent with a dangerous defensive front. The Vols face Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma—all teams that boast NFL-bound pass rushers and stifling schemes. Every snap will be a test for Heard, and every rep will be another data point for scouts who already have him on their radar. This is the year he moves from intriguing to undeniable, from solid starter to potential All-SEC performer. And perhaps, even higher.
Heard’s impact goes beyond blocking assignments. Tennessee’s offense relies on rhythm and tempo, and a tackle who can keep the quarterback clean is worth his weight in gold. If Heard continues his upward trend, it allows the Vols to expand their playbook, push the ball downfield more aggressively, and execute outside zone runs with more consistency. His presence allows offensive coordinator Joey Halzle to sleep a little easier at night knowing the left (or right) edge is secure.
In practices, teammates talk about how Heard brings an edge to the locker room. He’s not loud, but he’s intense. He doesn’t do a lot of interviews, but his play speaks volumes. Defensive linemen say he’s one of the toughest matchups on the roster. Linebackers respect how he finishes blocks in the second level. Coaches trust him in big moments. That trust will be tested early and often this fall, and so far, all signs point to Heard being ready.
One area where Heard has taken noticeable steps is in his conditioning. Tennessee’s up-tempo style can be brutal on offensive linemen, especially when playing in the sweltering early-season heat. Over the offseason, Heard trimmed down slightly and added lean muscle, working closely with the team’s nutrition staff and strength program. His body transformation hasn’t just been cosmetic—it’s translated to improved stamina and recovery. That’s key when you’re expected to play 70+ snaps a game against relentless SEC competition.
Scouts are already talking about Heard’s NFL potential. While the draft is still months away, and he’s yet to decide whether 2025 will be his final collegiate season, there’s growing buzz that if he performs at the level he’s capable of, he could be an early-round pick. Tackle prospects with his size, movement skills, and SEC experience don’t grow on trees. The NFL values versatility too, and the fact that Heard can play both tackle spots—and possibly even guard—adds to his appeal.
But beyond draft boards and accolades, Lance Heard is focused on one thing: winning. Tennessee hasn’t reached the SEC Championship game in years, and this 2025 roster believes it has the talent to change that. For that to happen, the offensive line must gel early, and Heard must be its anchor. He knows the responsibility that comes with that role. He embraces it. He thrives on it.
As preseason camp looms, Heard is locked in. The Vols coaching staff has raved about his work ethic this summer. He’s often the first in the facility and one of the last to leave. He watches film religiously, studies opponent tendencies, and spends extra time refining his hand placement and pad level. He’s become a student of the game in ways that separate the good from the great.
The best offensive linemen often go unnoticed—until something goes wrong. A sack, a missed assignment, a drive-stalling penalty. For Lance Heard, the goal is to be so consistent that you forget he’s even there. Just a quiet giant moving bodies, setting edges, and paving the way for touchdowns. That kind of consistency is what Tennessee needs if it wants to contend in 2025. And that’s exactly what Heard is working to deliver.
In many ways, Lance Heard’s story is just beginning. His transfer was a leap of faith—for him and for Tennessee. So far, it looks like the right decision for both sides. But the ultimate verdict will come this fall, snap after snap, game after game, opponent after opponent. Heard has the tools. He has the drive. And now, in his second season with the Vols, he has the opportunity.
By the time the final whistle blows in 2025, Tennessee fans may look back at the addition of Lance Heard as one of the turning points of the program’s resurgence. A lineman who came from LSU looking for a fresh start and ended up becoming a cornerstone. Not just for one season, but for a new era of Volunteer football.
