RTI's pre-spring depth chart projections

#3
#3
Our offensive line looks like an absolute train wreck without Trey and Chance but I have a weird sense of optimism for that bunch overall come the fall assuming we get Trey back to sure up that blindside. Marquez Calloway, Jennings and Brandon Johnson is a very solid top 3 at WR and Ty Chandler has a real chance to be special. No RB depth what so ever is a killer.

Here's to praying we get one young man to step up and be solid and consistent at QB this year. That's going to be the difference between an 8 win cieling and a 4-5 win floor.

I think the defense will be a top half of the conference bunch, a lot of talent and some future NFLers on that side of the ball this year.
 
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#4
#4
If this quote from CJP is true, can you really put forth any depth chart until minimally, at least one practice is complete?

“I think it’s going to be the same at every position. We have multiple drills going on at one time; we’ll be two-spotting so everybody in our organization will be getting the same amount of reps,” Pruitt continued. “Obviously, the people that are healthy need to take advantage of the reps they get. The people that are here need to take advantage of the 15 days that they’ll get. Everyone is going to get the same amount of reps. After each practice, we’ll evaluate each play, on each field, each rep and we’ll see who can do what we want them to do most consistently.”
 
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#5
#5
The 2-deep OL consists of Locklear listed twice, Calbert who is out, and 2 true freshman. Can we expect to see any DL move to OL, and if so whom? The addition of grad transfer London and the interest in Terrence Alexander tells me an OL grad transfer isn't likely.
 
#6
#6
almost feel like that at this time we shouldn't have any over-the-top expectations...anywhere...hopefully, we'll get a couple nice surprises and hope for the future...

GO VOLS!
 
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#7
#7
Brooks at guard? I don't think so.
Locklear at center and Johnson at guard is more likely than Brooks at OG.
They'll have to rely on walk ons to make it through spring.

Carvin will get a lot of snaps.

Still amazed that Pruitt didn't go hard after Boulware and convince him to stay.
 
#8
#8
Wonder why Tyler Byrd is only listed on special teams? I'm guessing CJP will experiment with him on both sides of the ball during spring practice to find the best place for him.
 
#13
#13
I don't care to go through an 8 page slideshow. Anybody want to summarize?

S: 1. Micah Abernathy 2. Theo Jackson
S: 1. Nigel Warrior 2. Todd Kelly Jr.
CB: 1. Shawn Shamburger 2. Cheyenne Labruzza
CB: 1. Baylen Buchanan 2. Terrell Bailey
NB: 1. Marquill Osborne 2. Baylen Buchanan
Thoughts: Tennessee’s defense as a whole will look very different than it did last season. But the one unit that will likely look extremely similar to last season is safety. Micah Abernathy and Nigel Warrior return as the likely starters heading into spring practices, and Todd Kelly Jr. is back for a fifth season and should compete for a potential starting role.
Cornerback is a different story, however. Shawn Shamburger saw a decent amount of action as a freshman last season, and Baylen Buchanan played a little but was limited due to injuries. Marquill Osborne hasn’t contributed nearly as much as expected thus far, and he may be relegated to more of a nickel role whenever the Vols are out of their 3-4 scheme. Regardless, the corner position will be full of competition this spring.

OLB: 1. Quart’e Sapp 2. Austin Smith
OLB: 1. Darrell Taylor/Jordan Allen 2. Deandre Johnson
ILB: 1. Darrin Kirkland Jr. 2. Will Ignont
ILB: 1. Daniel Bituli 2. Dillon Bates
Thoughts: This unit will likely see more upheaval than any other on the roster. Expect to see a few defensive ends move to outside linebacker (like Darrell Taylor, Deandre Johnson, and possibly Jonthan Kongbo or Ryan Thaxton) and a few other true linebackers may move inside to provide some depth at inside linebacker. Newcomer and JUCO transfer Jordan Allen should make his presence felt rather quickly. Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Daniel Bituli are the only two players who are likely solid locks in the unit. Everything else is up for grabs.

DE: 1. Kyle Phillips 2. Matthew Butler
NT: 1. Shy Tuttle 2. Alexis Johnson 3. Quay Picou
DE: 1. Jonathan Kongbo 2. Ryan Thaxton
Thoughts: The Vols will typically play a 3-4 defense, which means they’ll employ two ends and a nose tackle. There’s still a good chance you’ll see Tennessee in a 4-3 set in a lot of games, so this depth chart is subject to change depending on the formation. But as it stands in Tennessee’s base 3-4, Shy Tuttle looks to be the favorite to start at nose tackle. The ends, however, are completely up in the air. With so many ends possibly moving to outside linebacker, it remains to be seen who will be available at end. These are our best guesses right now.


LT: 1. Marcus Tatum 2. Riley Locklear
LG: 1. Drew Richmond 2. K’Rojhn Calbert
C: 1. Ryan Johnson 2. Riley Locklear
RG: 1. Devante Brooks 2. Ollie Lane
RT: 1. Nathan Niehaus 2. Jerome Carvin
Thoughts: Without Trey Smith and Chance Hall this spring, the Vols’ offensive line is even more of a mess than it would’ve been otherwise. Expect four-star Jerome Carvin to come in and try to land a spot on the two-deep right away, and Ollie Lane could be forced into the two-deep just because of lack of depth. Many players could move positions as spring advances, but Ryan Johnson is likely the only one suited to play center right now. Marcus Tatum has a lot of experience at tackle, and just about every other lineman the Vols have are “versatile” players who were originally projected as tackles. This unit will need a lot of work.

WR: 1. Marquez Callaway 2. Jordan Murphy
WR: 1. Brandon Johnson 2. Alontae Taylor
WR: 1. Josh Palmer/Latrell Williams 2. Alontae Taylor
TE: 1. Eli Wolf 2. Austin Pope 3. LaTrell Bumphus
Thoughts: No Jauan Jennings for the spring means there will be some shuffling in the fall. But right now, Marquez Callaway and Brandon Johnson are the likely No. 1 and No. 2, and competition at the slot position will be fierce. Alontae Taylor’s impact as an early enrollee will be interesting to gauge.
At tight end, Eli Wolf is really the only tight end with much college experience. But expect four-star JUCO tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson to come in and make things interesting in the fall. For now, though, Wolf, Austin Pope, and LaTrell Bumphus will be the main tight ends seeing time on offense. The Vols will likely run more two tight end sets this year, so expect to see an expanded roster at this unit.

QB: 1. Jarrett Guarantano/Will McBride
RB: 1. Ty Chandler 2. Tim Jordan/Trey Coleman
Thoughts: The quarterback competition won’t be decided till the fall when Stanford grad transfer QB Keller Chryst throws his name into the mix. But both Jarrett Guarantano or Will McBride have a perfect opportunity to get a leg up on the competition this spring if they can put together a strong showing.
Just like with Tennessee’s quarterback position, the Vols’ running back position will change in the fall with the addition of a grad transfer. Michigan State grad transfer Madre London will join the fray in the fall, but for now Ty Chandler is likely the top back with Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman fighting for the No. 2 spot in the spring.

K: 1. Brent Cimaglia 2. Laszlo Toser
P: 1. Paxton Brooks 2. Joe Doyle
KR: 1. Tyler Byrd 2. Ty Chandler
PR: 1. Marquez Callaway 2. Alontae Taylor
Thoughts: The Vols lost just about every major contributor on special teams after the 2017 season. Trevor Daniel, Aaron Medley, and Evan Berry have all graduated. That means Tennessee’s special teams are majorly in flux. Brent Cimaglia is the only scholarship kicker on roster, and kicking duties will likely fall to him. Paxton Brooks is an early enrollee and will compete with a handful of walk-ons at punter.
The Vols’ return units are a complete mystery. Ty Chandler has the most experience as a kick returner, but if he’s the starting running back he may not be the main kick returner. Tyler Byrd has experience there as well. Marquez Callaway was the primary punt returner last season, but early enrollee Alontae Taylor could e a name to watch there too.
 
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#14
#14
Eric Crosby nowhere to be found?? Dude was a STUD DT in VA HS. He must not have ever lifted a weight in his life. More potential wasted.
 
#15
#15
My observations...

DB's: Didn't we move Theo Jackson to CB?

LB/DL: Where's Crosby? I expect to see a bigger DL. Maybe Tuttle & Johnson at DE and Crosby at NT? Some on the old DE's will definitely be OLB's now.

OL: Not having Hall and Smith this spring could be a blessing in disguise. The rest of the group should be plenty of valuable reps.

TE: Where's Blakely? I expect he and Bumphus to get a good look due to their size.

OQ/RB: This list really shows how important the additions of Chryst and London are.
 
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#18
#18
S: 1. Micah Abernathy 2. Theo Jackson
S: 1. Nigel Warrior 2. Todd Kelly Jr.
CB: 1. Shawn Shamburger 2. Cheyenne Labruzza
CB: 1. Baylen Buchanan 2. Terrell Bailey
NB: 1. Marquill Osborne 2. Baylen Buchanan
Thoughts: Tennessee’s defense as a whole will look very different than it did last season. But the one unit that will likely look extremely similar to last season is safety. Micah Abernathy and Nigel Warrior return as the likely starters heading into spring practices, and Todd Kelly Jr. is back for a fifth season and should compete for a potential starting role.
Cornerback is a different story, however. Shawn Shamburger saw a decent amount of action as a freshman last season, and Baylen Buchanan played a little but was limited due to injuries. Marquill Osborne hasn’t contributed nearly as much as expected thus far, and he may be relegated to more of a nickel role whenever the Vols are out of their 3-4 scheme. Regardless, the corner position will be full of competition this spring.

OLB: 1. Quart’e Sapp 2. Austin Smith
OLB: 1. Darrell Taylor/Jordan Allen 2. Deandre Johnson
ILB: 1. Darrin Kirkland Jr. 2. Will Ignont
ILB: 1. Daniel Bituli 2. Dillon Bates
Thoughts: This unit will likely see more upheaval than any other on the roster. Expect to see a few defensive ends move to outside linebacker (like Darrell Taylor, Deandre Johnson, and possibly Jonthan Kongbo or Ryan Thaxton) and a few other true linebackers may move inside to provide some depth at inside linebacker. Newcomer and JUCO transfer Jordan Allen should make his presence felt rather quickly. Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Daniel Bituli are the only two players who are likely solid locks in the unit. Everything else is up for grabs.

DE: 1. Kyle Phillips 2. Matthew Butler
NT: 1. Shy Tuttle 2. Alexis Johnson 3. Quay Picou
DE: 1. Jonathan Kongbo 2. Ryan Thaxton
Thoughts: The Vols will typically play a 3-4 defense, which means they’ll employ two ends and a nose tackle. There’s still a good chance you’ll see Tennessee in a 4-3 set in a lot of games, so this depth chart is subject to change depending on the formation. But as it stands in Tennessee’s base 3-4, Shy Tuttle looks to be the favorite to start at nose tackle. The ends, however, are completely up in the air. With so many ends possibly moving to outside linebacker, it remains to be seen who will be available at end. These are our best guesses right now.


LT: 1. Marcus Tatum 2. Riley Locklear
LG: 1. Drew Richmond 2. K’Rojhn Calbert
C: 1. Ryan Johnson 2. Riley Locklear
RG: 1. Devante Brooks 2. Ollie Lane
RT: 1. Nathan Niehaus 2. Jerome Carvin
Thoughts: Without Trey Smith and Chance Hall this spring, the Vols’ offensive line is even more of a mess than it would’ve been otherwise. Expect four-star Jerome Carvin to come in and try to land a spot on the two-deep right away, and Ollie Lane could be forced into the two-deep just because of lack of depth. Many players could move positions as spring advances, but Ryan Johnson is likely the only one suited to play center right now. Marcus Tatum has a lot of experience at tackle, and just about every other lineman the Vols have are “versatile” players who were originally projected as tackles. This unit will need a lot of work.

WR: 1. Marquez Callaway 2. Jordan Murphy
WR: 1. Brandon Johnson 2. Alontae Taylor
WR: 1. Josh Palmer/Latrell Williams 2. Alontae Taylor
TE: 1. Eli Wolf 2. Austin Pope 3. LaTrell Bumphus
Thoughts: No Jauan Jennings for the spring means there will be some shuffling in the fall. But right now, Marquez Callaway and Brandon Johnson are the likely No. 1 and No. 2, and competition at the slot position will be fierce. Alontae Taylor’s impact as an early enrollee will be interesting to gauge.
At tight end, Eli Wolf is really the only tight end with much college experience. But expect four-star JUCO tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson to come in and make things interesting in the fall. For now, though, Wolf, Austin Pope, and LaTrell Bumphus will be the main tight ends seeing time on offense. The Vols will likely run more two tight end sets this year, so expect to see an expanded roster at this unit.

QB: 1. Jarrett Guarantano/Will McBride
RB: 1. Ty Chandler 2. Tim Jordan/Trey Coleman
Thoughts: The quarterback competition won’t be decided till the fall when Stanford grad transfer QB Keller Chryst throws his name into the mix. But both Jarrett Guarantano or Will McBride have a perfect opportunity to get a leg up on the competition this spring if they can put together a strong showing.
Just like with Tennessee’s quarterback position, the Vols’ running back position will change in the fall with the addition of a grad transfer. Michigan State grad transfer Madre London will join the fray in the fall, but for now Ty Chandler is likely the top back with Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman fighting for the No. 2 spot in the spring.

K: 1. Brent Cimaglia 2. Laszlo Toser
P: 1. Paxton Brooks 2. Joe Doyle
KR: 1. Tyler Byrd 2. Ty Chandler
PR: 1. Marquez Callaway 2. Alontae Taylor
Thoughts: The Vols lost just about every major contributor on special teams after the 2017 season. Trevor Daniel, Aaron Medley, and Evan Berry have all graduated. That means Tennessee’s special teams are majorly in flux. Brent Cimaglia is the only scholarship kicker on roster, and kicking duties will likely fall to him. Paxton Brooks is an early enrollee and will compete with a handful of walk-ons at punter.
The Vols’ return units are a complete mystery. Ty Chandler has the most experience as a kick returner, but if he’s the starting running back he may not be the main kick returner. Tyler Byrd has experience there as well. Marquez Callaway was the primary punt returner last season, but early enrollee Alontae Taylor could e a name to watch there too.

Thank you!
 
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#19
#19
Eric Crosby nowhere to be found?? Dude was a STUD DT in VA HS. He must not have ever lifted a weight in his life. More potential wasted.

I'm kinda shocked by that myself. If that depth chart is accurate, and with the new guys coming in I wonder if they might give him a look at guard.
 
#21
#21
I'm kinda shocked by that myself. If that depth chart is accurate, and with the new guys coming in I wonder if they might give him a look at guard.

I thought that at first too, but with Tuttle, A. Johnson, and Picou all being seniors, that might not happen. If a DL were to make the move, I was thinking more along the lines of Maurese Smith, Kivon Bennett, or even Paul Bain.
 
#22
#22
We look like total garbage on the offense of side of the ball… Thanks Butch you brick by brick jasshat

oh yeah, i bet you are feeling like a man now. how many years do we think we can keep up the Butch hate? let it go, people. :pilot:
 
#23
#23
Im hearing we will be getting a couple of OL transfers from a couple of little known Central American Universities. Cliff Chadton and Colesly Coman. Very little seems to be known about either.
 
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#24
#24
We look like total garbage on the offense of side of the ball… Thanks Butch you brick by brick jasshat

We did. Our offense now will not be 1st down - read option, 2nd down read option, 3rd down read option, 4th down punt under Pruitt and company. Hopefully we will never return to that.
 

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