This Tennessee football redshirt freshman OL ‘does everything right’ in Vols’ preseason Mike Wilson

Glen Elarbee can’t name one thing that Jesse Perry has done well.

The Tennessee football offensive line coach prefers to name all the things that Perry has done well.

“Jesse does everything right — absolutely everything,” Elarbee said Aug. 5.

Perry has done enough to put himself squarely in the mix to be a key presence on the Vols’ offensive line in 2025. He is working primarily at right guard as Elarbee and the Vols explore the best combination up front as they replace four starters from the 2024 season.The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Perry has impressed his coaches with his eating habits, recovery, film study, coaching his teammates, studying the game and changing his body.

Perry came to Tennessee as a three-star offensive tackle recruit in the 2024 class out of Middle Tennessee Christian School in Murfreesboro.

He set his mind on wanting to develop as quickly as possible and not simply learn in the background as a freshman.

He played in four games with 72 snaps on offense, but had his sights set on the opportunity to expand his role in the 2025 season.

If I had just coasted last season, I probably wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in now,” Perry said.

Perry put on 50 pounds since he arrived at Tennessee, bulking up from 270 pounds to equip himself to play. He has seen the weight allow him to move defenders better and he feels differently run blocking with the added bulk.