As Yogi may have said, the status quo hasn’t changed all that much.

Neither George nor Faizon won or lost the Tennessee quarterback job in the introductory week of fall practice.

From their perspective, emphasis was on learning. Work was mentally heavy and physically light. They saw defensive alignments and adjustments but did not get hit. Linebackers looked mean and menacing but there was no real test of QB courage, reactions, elusiveness or rib durability.

That said, we’ll turn elsewhere for a story.

Tackle David Sanders is the famous name and big-money man on Tennessee’s offensive line but guard Wendell Moe is the only Vol on a prominent preseason all-Southeastern Conference team.

The Athletic, famous website owned by the New York Times and powered by legendary California sportswriter Seth Emerson, created this curiosity.

Emerson said his selections are part projections, but lean more toward past production. Moe was all-SEC last season and all-Big12 before that.

The Football Writers Association of America has Moe on the Outland Trophy watch list. That gives him a long-shot chance to qualify as the country’s top interior lineman. He is a second-team all-American on the Walter Camp preseason team.

SEC honors create a simple explanation if Tennessee loses too many football games. The Athletic says it doesn’t have enough all-star players. Georgia has 10. Texas has nine. Alabama and Ole Miss have six. Oklahoma has five. Even South Carolina has four.

Emerson said the Vols have two. DeSean Bishop is second-team.

Moe is a worthy honoree. He was a three-star but virtually ignored coming out of Long Beach Polytechnic High School in the Class of 2022. His best scholarship offer was from Morgan State in Baltimore.

He signed. The coach departed. Wendell got a free pass to go elsewhere if he so chose. He made a late decision to play in the Under Armour prep all-star game. Arizona noticed. He went to Arizona. He emerged as a powerful run blocker and excellent pass protector.

“Excellent” is less than accurate. In a four-game redshirt season, two as a starter, he allowed one sack and one other hit on a quarterback. He was not flagged for a foul, no false starts, no holding, no late hits.

After the full 2024 campaign, Moe, of Polynesian decent, 6-2 and 330, academic honor roll, sought a bigger stage with the hope of enhancing his NFL evaluation. He had a lot of choices. Miami and UCLA really wanted him. Auburn thought it had him. Tennessee’s offer was more appealing.

Moe, a self-described “homebody,” was an immediate personality fit for the offensive line of 2025.

“I have no personality,” he said.

He really likes his home. He watches movies and TV. He likes Game of Thrones reruns. He listens to rhythm and blues and gospel music. He stays in touch with his family.

He was exactly what the Vols wanted up front: A tough, smart, competitive guard.

“He’s an elite competitor,” Josh Heupel said. “Man, you talk about tough, smart, and physical – man, that guy embodies all that. Just awesome from the time that he got here. He’s really smart and plays the game at a really high level.”

Offensive line coach Glen Elarbee said amen, brother, right on.

“The guy plays physical, super physical in the running game. He is highly intelligent, football smart. He understands what a defense is trying to do to him or just has that sixth sense in how to react.

“His general reaction is typically right.”

What Moe has that some don’t is a wide base and low center of gravity that makes him virtually unmovable by standard interior bull rushes. He has heavy, powerful legs but surprising quickness and maneuverability.

Moe has ability to pull and find linebackers. His position grades are really good. Alas, he did allow a sack by Alabama. He said he will try to do better.

Experience summation: Robust track record of 40 games and over 2,400 snaps.

Something else you may not know: His nickname is Mo-Mo but Moe is pronounced “Moy.”

Marvin West welcomes comments of questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com