One of Tennessee's most productive offensive players will shift positions for Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi.

Coach Butch Jones said on the "Vol Calls" radio show Wednesday night that Trey Smith will start at offensive tackle against the Golden Eagles.

"He became more and more comfortable as practice went on today with it," Jones said on the radio show. "He played tackle throughout the course of training camp, and I know he's looking forward to that."

Smith started the season's first eight games at right guard.

Jones gave Smith high praise during his opening remarks at his Monday news conference.

"One of our best players is Trey Smith," Jones said of the true freshman from Jackson. "Week in and week out, he plays with a high level of consistency. He plays with great toughness, great energy and everything that we talk about within our football program."

Jones did not specify which tackle position Smith would start at.

Smith practiced at left tackle during Tuesday's open viewing period, and Devonte Brooks was at right tackle.

UT's game notes indicate that Smith leads the team with more than 30 knockdowns.

The Vols will be without at least one starting tackle Saturday and perhaps two. Jones said on Wednesday that starting right tackle Brett Kendrick would be out with injury and that starting left tackle Drew Richmond was questionable.

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Marcus Tatum, a backup tackle, also is out for the game.

Brooks might be in line to start opposite of Smith if Richmond can't play.

Brooks, a redshirt freshman converted tight end, has never played.

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“I’m excited to watch some of these young players play," Jones said on the radio show. "They've worked exceptionally hard. Devonte Brooks will play, and Ryan Johnson has done a really good job of continuing to grow and develop and gain some valuable game experience and some confidence along the way."

Johnson, another redshirt freshman, is in line to slide into Smith's position at right guard and join left guard Jashon Robertson and center Coleman Thomas on the interior of the line. Johnson has played in every game but has yet to start a game.

The Vols need the rearranged line to offer better pass protection. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has been sacked 18 times in the past three games.

The Vols (3-5, 0-5 SEC) will take a four-game losing streak into their homecoming game against Southern Miss (5-3, 3-2 Conference-USA), and questions are swirling about Jones' future.

Jones, in his fifth season at UT, fielded a few questions on his radio show about the outside noise.

"Everyone in our program hurts," Jones said, "and we know we need a win very badly. We know Vol Nation needs a win very badly. And (Southern Miss) is a very good football team, so we can't worry about all that outside stuff."