Sources: Vols center Mays to make season launching

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior WriterSep 30, 2023, 11:55 AM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

Tennessee will return beginning center Cooper Mays for his first action of the season Saturday night versus South Carolina, sources informed ESPN.Mays missed out on the

very first 4 games after going through hernia surgery in early August. There was some hope he may be able to play each of the past 2 weeks, however he was not able to go.Tennessee coach Josh Heupel stated Thursday that Mays practiced “truly well “this week which the Volunteers wanted to have him ready versus the Gamecocks.A 6-foot-3, 305-pound senior, Mays had started in 19 successive games

prior to this season and was a preseason All-SEC selection. The Volunteers have actually missed his experience in the middle of their offending line.Tennessee ranks seventh nationally in hurrying offense (229.5 YPG) but handled simply 100 backyards on the ground in its only SEC game, a 29-16 loss to Florida two weeks ago.Leading rusher Jaylen Wright and wide receiver Ramel Keyton are likewise anticipated to bet the Gamecocks after leaving Tennessee’s 45-14 win over UTSA last week with injuries.