Jackson Lampley is trying to win it back with the Vols for one more season after making his first two starts as a Tennessee Titan to end the 2023 season. The interior offensive lineman confirmed his future plans on social media on Friday night, becoming the latest veteran to declare his return for the 2024 campaign. With the NCAA declaring the 2020 pandemic-affected season a free year of eligibility for all players, Lampley, a fifth-year senior for the Vols in 2023, has an extra year of eligibility remaining. His father, Brad Lampley, was a mid-1990s Tennessee player.
With multiple veterans announcing their return, Tennessee’s offensive line will have a wealth of experience coming back for the upcoming campaign. Along with All-SEC center Cooper Mays, starting tackle John Campbell Jr., and veteran utility player Dayne Davis earlier this week, Lampley decided to use his additional years and play for Tennessee in 2024. Javontez Spraggins, the starting right guard, is also anticipated to return, though he hasn’t disclosed any plans.
Lampley has spent the majority of his career as a reserve, but after Spraggins was sidelined due to a knee injury against Georgia, he started at right guard in both the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt and the victory against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. Given that he skipped Senior Day prior to the Vanderbilt game, Lampley’s return is not shocking.
“Being a Vol was my greatest desire as a child. When I became the first commit in the 2019 signing class, that goal came true. I have spent my five years at Tennessee with both fantastic and difficult experiences, including wins in the Citrus and Orange Bowls, 2022 over Florida and Alabama, and coaching changes and injuries. And despite the current trend of switching schools, I’ve stayed here because I enjoy it, even through difficult times.
“I wouldn’t change a thing—my time at Tennessee was the best, most difficult, and most rewarding years of my life. I’m honored to have contributed to our program’s revitalization with 20 victories in two years and to the O-line that set the standard for three seasons in a row with 2,500+ rushing yards.
And I firmly believe that this is only the beginning. In the locker room, I adore my brothers, as well as the coaching and support team. It has been a privilege to fight alongside everyone in that building every fall Saturday. I also enjoy performing for America’s greatest audience. I’ll never forget the cigar smoke that filled Neyland following Alabama’s victory, as well as the moment our supporters tore down the goalposts and threw them into the Tennessee River. Furthermore, every time we get onto the field, it always means a little bit more to tape the Midstate portion of the “My All” sign because I was born and raised in Nashville.
My home state is Tennessee. My family is from Tennessee, and Tennessee is who I am. I’m quite enthusiastic about this program’s future. That is the reason I am returning to Tennessee for my last collegiate football season, my sixth.