Tennessee only has a 13 scholarship seniors this season, and a couple of them are slated to return next season for various reasons.

Another one is considering the possibility of returning to the Vols in 2020.

Starting center Brandon Kennedy, named the SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in Tennessee's win against South Carolina, had two seasons cut short by injury and likely would have a decent chance of getting a waiver from the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility, and he admitted earlier this week it's an option he plans to weigh after the conclusion of the season.

“Most definitely it’s in the back of my mind,” Kennedy said before Tuesday’s practice. “I know I have to focus on this season, but that is something that I’ll think about in the future once this season is over.

“I really don’t know (if I want to come back for a sixth season), to tell you honestly,” he added. “I think after the season I’ll have a better picture of what I should do.”

Tennessee's small senior class already includes a couple of players who are slated to return in 2020. Defensive lineman Emmit Gooden is using a redshirt this season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in August, and wide receiver Brandon Johnson is using a voluntary redshirt to return next season when the Vols will have a big void to fill at his position. Defensive back Baylen Buchanan, who's dealing with a narrowing of the spine, wants to continue playing and could return next season should his medical situation allow it.

Kennedy's situation is a little bit different.

The nature of sixth-year eligibility waivers is a bit fickle and only can be applied for after a player completes his fifth season. Kennedy, who joined the Vols as a graduate transfer last summer, redshirted at Alabama in 2015 and played just three games for the Crimson Tide in 2017 as a foot injury sidelined him. He played in just one game at Tennessee in 2018 after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in practice the week of the second game.

This season, Kennedy has stayed healthy and been a steady force in the middle of Tennessee's improving offensive line, and it's been more what he envisioned when he elected to continue his career with the Vols.

“Coming to a program like this, you obviously want to play,” Kennedy said. “The fans and everything, they’re great. I just wanted to come here and play, that was definitely my mindset.

“It’s definitely been gratifying. I’m grateful for every opportunity I get to go out there and play every Saturday, so I’m grateful for it.”

As his weekly award illustrated, Kennedy has improved individually and he's also helping his teammates around him. He's been the fixture at the middle of the offensive line that's rotated starting lineups and been forced to use different combinations within games due to injuries. It also hasn't hurt to have him calling out protections and identifying defensive formations with Tennessee rotating three quarterbacks, including two freshmen.

Kennedy believes he's played with more physicality, but that's not the part of his game he's most proud of right now.

“I think the thing I like most about my game right now,” he said, “is just being able to help everybody else and be a leader on the team and being able to get everybody on the same page. Communication, I would say, just being able to get everybody on the same page is what I do good.

“I think the main thing is just being able to stay healthy and being able to play, the comfortability has been a factor.”

Kennedy completed his undergraduate degree in a little more than three years and is pursuing a master's degree in sports psychology and motor behavior. Offensive line coach Will Friend this week said Kennedy has designed on becoming a doctor. Those plans could have an impact on Kennedy's football decision.

If Kennedy wanted to play one more season at Tennessee, the Vols certainly would welcome him back.

“Brandon does a really nice job with the front,” head coach Jeremy Pruitt said after Wednesday’s practice. “He helps the quarterbacks in protections, in the run game. He’s very smart, so it’s kind of like having a coach out on the field. We’re glad he’s there. He’s healthy, staying healthy, and helping the guys around him.”

Said Friend: “I hope so. I think he's only going to get better and better. Obviously, when the season ends, we will go from there. Brandon is a great leader and a really good football player. I think he can really be special next year.”