Cade Mays is 'a tremendous addition' for Tennessee football, Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt says

On the day that Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith announced he's returning for his senior season, the Vols confirmed another big addition.

Cade Mays is transferring to UT after two seasons at Georgia. The Vols confirmed the news Thursday.

Mays, per NCAA transfer rules, will have to sit out the 2020 season unless he gets a waiver. As an intraconference transfer, he would require a waiver from the NCAA and SEC.

Attorney Tom Mars will represent Mays in his quest for a waiver. Mars, an industry leader in representing athletes seeking waivers, told Knox News he's "highly confident" that Mays will get his waiver to play in 2020.

If granted a waiver, the 6-foot-6, 318-pound Mays would profile as a likely starter for Tennessee in 2020. He helped Georgia to a 23-5 record in two seasons. Mays played every spot on the offensive line for Georgia this season.

Mays' father, Kevin, is a former first-team All-SEC offensive guard for Tennessee. His younger brother, Cooper, is a freshman early enrollee who is also an offensive lineman. 

Coach Jeremy Pruitt said in a news release that Mays' familiarity with UT and Knoxville help make him "a great fit."

"As a guy with multiple years of starting experience on the offensive line in the SEC, Cade is a tremendous addition to our program," Pruitt said. "He’s tough and he’s powerful, and he is a versatile player, who can line up anywhere on the offensive line. He will have an impact on the field, and he will also have a positive effect on our team and in the offensive line room with his leadership ability. We added a lot of great young players in December, and it’s exciting to also add a veteran like Cade to the Vols.”

The Vols are set to return all their starting linemen from this season. Joining Smith are offensive tackles Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright, center Brandon Kennedy and guard Jerome Carvin.

Mays is a former five-star recruit who starred at Knoxville Catholic. He initially committed to Tennessee before decommitting in November 2017, shortly before former coach Butch Jones was fired. He signed with Georgia that December.

Blake Toppmeyer covers University of Tennessee football. Email him at blake.toppmeyer@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. If you enjoy Blake’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. Current subscribers can click here to join Blake's FREE text group offering updates and analysis on Vols football.