Projected post signing day depth charts.

[HooahVol]

For offense it is looking like this (Analysis from GoVols247):

QB:
1. Jarrett Guarantano
2. JT Shrout
3. Brian Maurer
Analysis: Tennessee currently is slated to have just three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for 2019 after having four last season, though all three will go through spring practice. Redshirt freshman Shrout and freshman Maurer are talented youngsters, but it's too soon to expect them to make a serious push to take the starting job away from Guarantano. The question is will the Vols pursue a graduate transfer for added competition and security as they did with Keller Chryst in 2018. The numbers situation would appear to make it unlikely.

RB:
1. Ty Chandler
2a. Tim Jordan
2b. Eric Gray
3. Carlin Fils-aime
Analysis: Expect Chandler to continue to have a feature role in the offense. Gray gives Tennessee another Chandler-like playmaker, while the Vols will be hoping Jordan can be more dynamic and less of a freelancer than he was last season. Fils-aime also had a limited role late in 2018 after moving back to running back from defense and could be a factor. The question is where the Vols will turn for a bigger back. Jordan is a bruising runner but isn't particularly big, and the Vols currently plan to play freshmen Quavaris Crouch and Aaron Beasley on defense. Pruitt was unwilling to reveal where Jeremy Banks would play, so the sophomore would fill the role if he's not at linebacker, but it's expected he'll be at linebacker. Princeton Fant also might return to the backfield in the spring after splitting time at running back and tight end last season.

WR #1
1. Marquez Callaway
2a. Ramel Keyton
2b. Brandon Johnson
Analysis: Tennessee returns its top three receivers from last season, so there's no reason to think they won't continue starting in 2019. The question is what other wideouts can show they deserve playing time. Given how inconsistent and/or unproductive some of the returning veterans were in 2018, freshman Keyton could have a chance to get in the mix and contribute right away.

WR #2
1. Josh Palmer
2a. Tyler Byrd
2b. Cedric Tillman
Analysis: Palmer will look to become a more-well rounded receiver after emerging as a legitimate deep threat during his breakout sophomore season. Byrd's primary value in 2018 was as a perimeter blocker and special-teams player. Tillman showed intriguing upside in practice while redshirting in 2018 and is worth keeping an eye on this offseason.

WR #3
1. Jauan Jennings
2a. Jordan Murphy
2b. Jerrod Means
Analysis: Jennings elected to return to Tennessee to play his senior season instead of enter the 2019 NFL Draft, though he tested the waters and strongly considered it before announcing his decision on deadline day. Murphy has the kind of playmaking ability the Vols need and is a leading contender to be the next in line behind the Callaway-Palmer-Jennings trio. Means is an intriguing prospect who may need time to develop.
Tennessee plans to play Georgia transfer Deangelo Gibbs at receiver, and he conceivably would have a good chance at being a factor given his athleticism and ball skills and natural talent should he get an NCAA waiver to play this season instead of having to sit out in 2019.

TE:
1. Dominick Wood-Anderson
2a. Jackson Lowe
2b. Sean Brown
3a. LaTrell Bumphus
3b. Austin Pope
Analysis: Wood-Anderson should remain the starter and a focal point of the offense, as new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has shown an affinity for involving tight ends in his past offenses. Eli Wolf transferring to Georgia opens the door more for the two newcomers to get on the field earlier. Bumphus and Pope were contributors last season and still could have roles, the former in short-yardage packages and the latter as a fullback or H-back, but freshman Lowe and signee Brown are more the type of players Tennessee's coaching staff wants at the position.

LT:
1. Wanya Morris
2. Marcus Tatum
3. K'Rojhn Calbert
Analysis: Tennessee's offensive line is hard to project, and there's plenty of combinations that could emerge between now and the start of the season. There are a couple of players who can be penned in as starters somewhere, while others will be battling for roles. The Vols signed a pair of five-star offensive tackles, and both could go straight into the starting lineup with Drew Richmond set to transfer (he remains in the NCAA transfer portal but has yet to announce his plans) and Trey Smithdealing with his medical condition. The hunch here is Morris, who is on campus and will go through spring drills, and Darnell Wright, who's set to arrive in the summer, are too talented, big and athletic to keep off the field for a Tennessee offensive line needing an injection of the exact attributes they bring to the table. Morris is the projected left tackle between the two, but also could play guard if he's not ready to play tackle. Tatum ended last season as the starter after stepping in when Smith was sidelined and is up to 312 pounds, and Calbert ended last season working at left tackle.

LG:
1. Jahmir Johnson
2a. Jerome Carvin
2b. Wanya Morris
Analysis: Johnson is perhaps the safest bet to be a part of Tennessee's starting five in 2019. The Vols love his tenacity and physicality, and Pruitt said last week he is up to 297 pounds after arriving on campus at 257 last summer. Tennessee recruited Johnson to play tackle, and it's a possibility he could play there as well. Carvin was a part-time starter in 2018 and should be better as a sophomore, but the competition at the two guard spots could be crowded, especially if the Vols end up shifting Morris inside if he's not ready to play tackle.

Center:
1. Brandon Kennedy
2. Ryan Johnson
3. Riley Locklear
Analysis: Kennedy is making good progress in his recovery from an ACL injury and should slot back into his starting center spot, though he likely will be limited in spring practice. Johnson started the final 11 games of last season after Kennedy's injury and should remain the second-choice center. Locklear and Carvin will provide further depth at center and both guard spots.

RG:
1a. Ryan Johnson
1b. Nathan Niehaus
3a. Melvin McBride
3b. Jackson Lampley
Analysis: The competition at guard could be pretty good with four returning players (Johnson, Johnson, Niehaus and Carvin) who started games there last season. We'll give the slight nod to Johnson at right guard, where he opened last season as a starter, ahead of Niehaus, a player Tennessee's staff likes who also started games at right guard in 2018. Signees McBride and Lampley both are projected interior linemen who are likely developmental prospects.

RT:
1. Darnell Wright
2a. Nathan Niehaus
50COMMENTS
2b. Marcus Tatum
3. Chris Akporoghene
Analysis: Wright will have to put it together pretty quickly over the course of the summer and in preseason camp if he's going to be the Day One starter, but he has the size, athleticism and physicality to play right away in the SEC. Perhaps this is expecting too much too soon, because by no means is it a lock Wright goes straight into the starting lineup. But with Tennessee losing its top tackles from last season and needing talents like Wright to help the offensive line improve, we'll go ahead and give him the nod. If Wright isn't ready to go, the Vols have a couple of decent options in Tatum and Niehaus, who both worked at right tackle extensively last season and will be familiar with the position. Akporoghene already has turned some heads since arriving on campus last month, but he's still raw and likely will need some time to develop, and it's a possibility he winds up playing inside after playing right tackle in high school.

 

[HooahVol]

On defense (again analysis by GoVols247):

NOSE TACKLE

1. Emmit Gooden
2a. Kingston Harris
2b. Elijah Simmons
2c. Greg Emerson
Analysis: Tennessee is reloading on the defensive line after its three starters and one of its top second-teamers were seniors in 2018. Gooden was the only one who was in the rotation all of last season to return, and the Vols will need him to take the next step and become a productive starter. The Vols won't be proven or experienced on the defensive line, but they're not short on numbers or size after the current staff targeted bigger bodies the past two recruiting cycles. Redshirt freshmen Harris and Emerson and signee Simmons are well over 300 pounds. Harris spent most of last season on the offensive line and Emerson worked extensively with the scout team, but they should have the opportunity to complete for playing time, particularly this spring before the three signees, including the explosive, powerful Simmons get to campus.

DEFENSIVE END

1. Savion Williams
2a. Kurott Garland
2b. Darel Middleton
Analysis: The Vols signed a couple of junior college transfers in their 2019 class in Williams and Middleton, and the expectation is both will be capable of contributing this season. Four-star Williams is the more advanced of the two and could go straight into the starting lineup at one of the defensive end spots after he arrives in the summer. Tennessee will cross-train up front to build depth, and some players who are big enough to play nose tackle and the heavier defensive end spot vacated by Alexis Johnson could get work at both positions. Garland has a decent shot at first-team reps this spring and is one to watch this offseason after redshirting in 2018.

DEFENSIVE END

1. John Mincey
2. Matthew Butler
3. Ja'Quain Blakely
Analysis: We're working under the assumption Aubrey Solomon won't be immediately eligible and will have to sit out the 2019 season. Otherwise the Michigan transfer and former five-star prospect would be a projected starter, but unless and until he gets a transfer exception waiver from the NCAA to play this season, the Vols will have to prepare like they won't have him. Mincey and Butler both had stints with the second-team defensive line last season and will have all the opportunity in the world ahead of them this offseason, particularly in the spring before the junior college help arrives. Mincey and Garland may have the most upside of the returning cast not named Emmit Gooden. Blakely spent time at fullback and tight end last season before moving to the defensive line late in the season, and we'll slot him here for now.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (SAM)

1. Darrell Taylor
2a. Roman Harrison
2b. Jordan Allen
Analysis: The Vols will count on Taylor to be one of their top playmakers in 2019, and the hope for Tennessee is he can produce the performances he had against Georgia and Kentucky last season on a more consistent and regular basis. Tennessee will need a couple of quality edge rushers to emerge for the defense to take the next step. Allen will return for his second season after considering a transfer in December and electing to remain with the Vols, and Tennessee hopes he can continue to progress. Four-star Harrison is one of the more intriguing signees in Tennessee's class, and though he's a little raw he has the size and athleticism to contribute as a freshman.


OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (JACK)

1. Deandre Johnson
2a. Quavaris Crouch
2b. Kivon Bennett
Analysis: We gave five-star offensive tackles Darnell Wright and Wanya Morris the benefit of the doubt in the projected depth chart on offense, but we're not ready to do the same for Crouch. Johnson had his moments last season and is a player the staff likes, and we'll have to see how Crouch takes to playing outside linebacker. Some coaches and recruiting analysts view him more as an inside linebacker, but the Vols first will see what the talented freshman can do off the edge. Bennett earned meaningful snaps late last season and was intentionally held out of the finale to preserve his redshirt, suggesting Tennessee thinks there's something there worth developing, but it's not out of the realm of possibility he could go back to the defensive line given Tennessee's needs there. Playing time at the outside linebacker positions beyond Taylor would look to be up for grabs, and Johnson will have to be more productive and consistent than he was last season if he's going to hold off the two talented newcomers and a couple of intriguing returning players.


INSIDE LINEBACKER (MIKE)

1a. Daniel Bituli
1b. Will Ignont
2. Jeremy Banks
Analysis: The competition for snaps at inside linebacker ought to be fascinating this offseason with returning veterans battling talented underclassmen for playing time. For now, we're going to give the nod to the veterans. Keep in mind, though, the Vols rotated four inside linebackers into games last season. Bituli and Ignont both should be more comfortable in Tennessee's defense in their second year playing in it, the Vols will hope they can become more disruptive players. Banks is a wildcard for Tennessee and could wind up back on offense given the need for a bigger running back. The intention at the end of last season for the Vols was to play him at linebacker and that remains the expectation, though Pruitt last week wouldn't reveal where Banks will open spring practice.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (WILL)

1a. Darrin Kirkland Jr.
1b. Henry To'oto'o
1c. JJ Peterson
Analysis: To'oto'o was the headline defensive addition to Tennessee's 2019 class on National Signing Day last week, and he's talented enough to come in and play right away even though he won't get to campus until late May. It'll be important for To'oto'o to pick up the defense quickly if he's going to play, because everyone else at his position will be in their second year in the system. However, last season showed the Vols badly need to upgrade their speed and athleticism at the linebacker positions, and he certainly checks those boxes as a linebacker who has the talent and versatility to play the run, rush the quarterback, make plays in space and hold up in coverage. Kirkland struggled some last season after coming off his injury layoff, but it'll be up to the other linebackers to beat him out. All eyes will be on Peterson this spring to see how the redshirt freshman has progressed and how much different he looks after his late arrival last season, and in him and To'oto'o the Vols have a pair of former top-50 prospects at linebacker.

CORNERBACK

1. Bryce Thompson
2. Warren Burrell
3a. Terrell Bailey
3b. Kenney Solomon
Analysis: Tennessee returns its top three cornerbacks from last season, but the Vols will need to rebuild the depth after losing two of their top reserves from 2018. Thompson was an SEC All-Freshman Team selection and Freshman All-American after emerging as a play-making defender and highly-graded cover corner in his debut season, and Tennessee will hope more is in store for him as a sophomore. Burrell is an early enrollee who has the length and ball skills Tennessee's staff covets in its cornerbacks, and though he'll need to add some bulk to his frame, he's a solid bet to become one of the top options at cornerback beyond Thompson and the other two projected starters.

CORNERBACK

1. Alontae Taylor
2a. Tyus Fields
2b. Kenneth George Jr.
Analysis: Taylor's freshman season didn't quite end as well as it started, but he should remain a starter for Tennessee. He'll have a full offseason to continue working on his technique and understanding of the game at cornerback, and all the reps he'll get between now and the start of the season should benefit him greatly, as will the arrival of Derrick Ansley. Fields is another early enrollee who should have a good shot at contributing in a reserve role and perhaps on special teams, but he'll be sidelined for spring ball after undergoing ankle surgery in December. George, a late addition to the 2018 class, was one of the top reserves at cornerback and a contributor on special teams before suffering a leg injury four games into last season, so don't count him out.

STAR (NICKEL CORNERBACK)

1. Baylen Buchanan
2. Shawn Shamburger
3. Theo Jackson
Analysis: We don't anticipate Buchanan's role changing too much in 2019 after he emerged as one of the defensive backs the coaching staff trusted the most. He can play either outside cornerback spot and either the Star or Money positions in the nickel and dime defenses. Shamburger and Jackson can play both of those positions and also will be in the mix at safety, where each started games in 2018. It'll be interesting to see if either Burrell or Fields can get in the mix at either of those positions.

SAFETY

1. Nigel Warrior
2. Jaylen McCollough
3. Aaron Beasley
Analysis: It's also difficult to envision Warrior not keeping his spot in the starting lineup despite the arrival of some young talent. The safety position is tough to pick up for newcomers, though McCollough will have extra time to entrench himself in learning and playing in the system as an early enrollee. Warrior is still as naturally gifted as any player on Tennessee's defense and the Vols will hope he can be better in 2019 than he was last season. The departures of a couple of veterans opens the door at the other safety spot, and four-star McCollough will have the chance to compete for the starting job, but even if he doesn't win it, the expectation is he'll contribute in some capacity as a freshman. Beasley is one of the most versatile players in the 2019 class who could play running back or even grow into a linebacker. He'll start out at safety, though, when he arrives this summer.

SAFETY

1. Trevon Flowers
2. Theo Jackson
37COMMENTS
3a. Anthony Harris
3b. Brandon Davis
Analysis: Flowers opened last season as a starter at safety and it's a solid bet he'll do so again. Tennessee's staff loved his upside when he picked the Vols over Clemson last year and believed he just needed time and reps to become a quality SEC safety. He was starting to turn the corner in September when he suffered a collarbone injury during the open date and basically was a non-factor defensively for the rest of the season. A full offseason of work should allow Flowers to get enough reps to develop further, and he's got the talent and versatility to regain his starting spot over the other players who will be competing for it. The Vols hope four-star Harris, who is expected to be part of the class even though he didn't sign last week, is part of that group.

 

[HooahVol]

So it really appears the new guys are going to be expected to step up early. Fortunately we have a pretty soft start to next season so they will have some games to cut their teeth on.

 

[butchna]

For offense it is looking like this (Analysis from GoVols247):

QB:
1. Jarrett Guarantano
2. JT Shrout
3. Brian Maurer
Analysis: Tennessee currently is slated to have just three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster for 2019 after having four last season, though all three will go through spring practice. Redshirt freshman Shrout and freshman Maurer are talented youngsters, but it's too soon to expect them to make a serious push to take the starting job away from Guarantano. The question is will the Vols pursue a graduate transfer for added competition and security as they did with Keller Chryst in 2018. The numbers situation would appear to make it unlikely.

RB:
1. Ty Chandler
2a. Tim Jordan
2b. Eric Gray
3. Carlin Fils-aime
Analysis: Expect Chandler to continue to have a feature role in the offense. Gray gives Tennessee another Chandler-like playmaker, while the Vols will be hoping Jordan can be more dynamic and less of a freelancer than he was last season. Fils-aime also had a limited role late in 2018 after moving back to running back from defense and could be a factor. The question is where the Vols will turn for a bigger back. Jordan is a bruising runner but isn't particularly big, and the Vols currently plan to play freshmen Quavaris Crouch and Aaron Beasley on defense. Pruitt was unwilling to reveal where Jeremy Banks would play, so the sophomore would fill the role if he's not at linebacker, but it's expected he'll be at linebacker. Princeton Fant also might return to the backfield in the spring after splitting time at running back and tight end last season.

WR #1
1. Marquez Callaway
2a. Ramel Keyton
2b. Brandon Johnson
Analysis: Tennessee returns its top three receivers from last season, so there's no reason to think they won't continue starting in 2019. The question is what other wideouts can show they deserve playing time. Given how inconsistent and/or unproductive some of the returning veterans were in 2018, freshman Keyton could have a chance to get in the mix and contribute right away.

WR #2
1. Josh Palmer
2a. Tyler Byrd
2b. Cedric Tillman
Analysis: Palmer will look to become a more-well rounded receiver after emerging as a legitimate deep threat during his breakout sophomore season. Byrd's primary value in 2018 was as a perimeter blocker and special-teams player. Tillman showed intriguing upside in practice while redshirting in 2018 and is worth keeping an eye on this offseason.

WR #3
1. Jauan Jennings
2a. Jordan Murphy
2b. Jerrod Means
Analysis: Jennings elected to return to Tennessee to play his senior season instead of enter the 2019 NFL Draft, though he tested the waters and strongly considered it before announcing his decision on deadline day. Murphy has the kind of playmaking ability the Vols need and is a leading contender to be the next in line behind the Callaway-Palmer-Jennings trio. Means is an intriguing prospect who may need time to develop.
Tennessee plans to play Georgia transfer Deangelo Gibbs at receiver, and he conceivably would have a good chance at being a factor given his athleticism and ball skills and natural talent should he get an NCAA waiver to play this season instead of having to sit out in 2019.

TE:
1. Dominick Wood-Anderson
2a. Jackson Lowe
2b. Sean Brown
3a. LaTrell Bumphus
3b. Austin Pope
Analysis: Wood-Anderson should remain the starter and a focal point of the offense, as new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has shown an affinity for involving tight ends in his past offenses. Eli Wolf transferring to Georgia opens the door more for the two newcomers to get on the field earlier. Bumphus and Pope were contributors last season and still could have roles, the former in short-yardage packages and the latter as a fullback or H-back, but freshman Lowe and signee Brown are more the type of players Tennessee's coaching staff wants at the position.

LT:
1. Wanya Morris
2. Marcus Tatum
3. K'Rojhn Calbert
Analysis: Tennessee's offensive line is hard to project, and there's plenty of combinations that could emerge between now and the start of the season. There are a couple of players who can be penned in as starters somewhere, while others will be battling for roles. The Vols signed a pair of five-star offensive tackles, and both could go straight into the starting lineup with Drew Richmond set to transfer (he remains in the NCAA transfer portal but has yet to announce his plans) and Trey Smithdealing with his medical condition. The hunch here is Morris, who is on campus and will go through spring drills, and Darnell Wright, who's set to arrive in the summer, are too talented, big and athletic to keep off the field for a Tennessee offensive line needing an injection of the exact attributes they bring to the table. Morris is the projected left tackle between the two, but also could play guard if he's not ready to play tackle. Tatum ended last season as the starter after stepping in when Smith was sidelined and is up to 312 pounds, and Calbert ended last season working at left tackle.

LG:
1. Jahmir Johnson
2a. Jerome Carvin
2b. Wanya Morris
Analysis: Johnson is perhaps the safest bet to be a part of Tennessee's starting five in 2019. The Vols love his tenacity and physicality, and Pruitt said last week he is up to 297 pounds after arriving on campus at 257 last summer. Tennessee recruited Johnson to play tackle, and it's a possibility he could play there as well. Carvin was a part-time starter in 2018 and should be better as a sophomore, but the competition at the two guard spots could be crowded, especially if the Vols end up shifting Morris inside if he's not ready to play tackle.

Center:
1. Brandon Kennedy
2. Ryan Johnson
3. Riley Locklear
Analysis: Kennedy is making good progress in his recovery from an ACL injury and should slot back into his starting center spot, though he likely will be limited in spring practice. Johnson started the final 11 games of last season after Kennedy's injury and should remain the second-choice center. Locklear and Carvin will provide further depth at center and both guard spots.

RG:
1a. Ryan Johnson
1b. Nathan Niehaus
3a. Melvin McBride
3b. Jackson Lampley
Analysis: The competition at guard could be pretty good with four returning players (Johnson, Johnson, Niehaus and Carvin) who started games there last season. We'll give the slight nod to Johnson at right guard, where he opened last season as a starter, ahead of Niehaus, a player Tennessee's staff likes who also started games at right guard in 2018. Signees McBride and Lampley both are projected interior linemen who are likely developmental prospects.

RT:
1. Darnell Wright
2a. Nathan Niehaus
50COMMENTS
2b. Marcus Tatum
3. Chris Akporoghene
Analysis: Wright will have to put it together pretty quickly over the course of the summer and in preseason camp if he's going to be the Day One starter, but he has the size, athleticism and physicality to play right away in the SEC. Perhaps this is expecting too much too soon, because by no means is it a lock Wright goes straight into the starting lineup. But with Tennessee losing its top tackles from last season and needing talents like Wright to help the offensive line improve, we'll go ahead and give him the nod. If Wright isn't ready to go, the Vols have a couple of decent options in Tatum and Niehaus, who both worked at right tackle extensively last season and will be familiar with the position. Akporoghene already has turned some heads since arriving on campus last month, but he's still raw and likely will need some time to develop, and it's a possibility he winds up playing inside after playing right tackle in high school.

Little or nothing to quarrel with, save the exclusion of Ollie Lane as a factor. Could see him competing for minutes at C/OG. Think Akpo and McBride redshirt and develop depending on injury situations. Also poking that south Florida Greazey Bear by dropping Brandon Johnson behind a freshman.

 

[peaygolf]

Little or nothing to quarrel with, save the exclusion of Ollie Lane as a factor. Could see him competing for minutes at C/OG. Think Akpo and McBride redshirt and develop depending on injury situations. Also poking that south Florida Greazey Bear by dropping Brandon Johnson behind a freshman.

I like Lane......had kinda a nasty streak in high school.

 

[RollerVol]

thanks Hawkeye...gotta be a bowl game in amongst those boys somewhere...

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[njvols]

It really looks like we're getting some of that competition at most positions that Pruitt has been talking about. Pretty exciting. Maybe not Game 1 starters, but think there's going to be alot of FR and RS FR in the mix early. Comments @ RT is under the radar.

 

[CTVolsfan14]

Looking over that depth chart, it's the first time in a long time you can see the pure talent in multi levels of the defense, and same could be said for the offense.

The problem for this season specifically, a LOT of the guys that are bringing the physical tools and traits we need are just flat out puppies in their careers and will need time to mature. The offensive line, defensive line, and linebacking units mainly are the units I'm focusing on from this perspective.

Expect growing pains this year. Don't even come at me with an Atlanta or bust mentality, but I really do think we see a much improved product on the field this year with a clear direction moving forward and a lot of momentum heading into a crucial 2020 recruiting cycle.

 

[HooahVol]

Looking over that depth chart, it's the first time in a long time you can see the pure talent in multi levels of the defense, and same could be said for the offense.

The problem for this season specifically, a LOT of the guys that are bringing the physical tools and traits we need are just flat out puppies in their careers and will need time to mature. The offensive line, defensive line, and linebacking units mainly are the units I'm focusing on from this perspective.

Expect growing pains this year. Don't even come at me with an Atlanta or bust mentality, but I really do think we see a much improved product on the field this year with a clear direction moving forward and a lot of momentum heading into a crucial 2020 recruiting cycle.

I agree. I do think looking at our schedule the players will have time to mature some by the end of our season which is when we must win to get to a bowl. If we clean up the trash at the end, something we have failed to do the last few years and get a solid bowl win I will feel confident we are heading in the right direction.

 

[kemotoe]

I think 50 comments can push Wright for the starting RT job.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Looks good to me, if they all "buy in"!

 

[TAD]

Wright is way over weight .. he will have to get motivated in a HURRY to contribute this year ......

 

[swchandler1988]

Three exceptions:
1. Gooden
2. Emerson*
3a. Harris
3b. Simmons

1.Bituli
2.JJP*
3. Ignont

1.Chandler
2a. Jordan
2b. Banks*
3a. Gray
3b.Fils Aimee

Pruitt said Banks is staying at RB
Emerson and JJP will definitely be factors. Having a redshirt freshman year to get in shape and back to their U.S. Army All American All-Star form.

 

[swchandler1988]

Wright is way over weight .. he will have to get motivated in a HURRY to contribute this year ......

I hope you’re kidding. Dominated at the All American game in January. You know that offensive lineman are all overweight correct? 6’6 320 is perfect

 

[Tennesseefan2019]

I think Henry T will be a starter at linebacker from game one. He's that kind of player and could wind up being an all time UT great linebacker in my opinion.

 

[Volgrad98]

If Jeremy Banks works on holding on to the ball during the offseason, don't be surprised to see him as the #2. Kid has the instinct to find the openings and runs with purpose, a punisher. JMO of course.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

Seems like each year there are WRs ranked ahead of Brandon Johnson. Yet, he makes big plays. He finds ways to get open. Don't underestimate him.

One more thought. Tatum is up to about 315. If his strength is up to SEC standards, his experience will help him make a significant contribution, maybe even as a starter.

 

[livefaith]

So it really appears the new guys are going to be expected to step up early. Fortunately we have a pretty soft start to next season so they will have some games to cut their teeth on.

I hope that they step up. If they can't get on the field with this roster, then it's a bad sign for our recruiting class.

 

[TAD]

I hope you’re kidding. Dominated at the All American game in January. You know that offensive lineman are all overweight correct? 6’6 320 is perfect

If he weights a mere 320 !! haha ..try 350 .....

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Seems like each year there are WRs ranked ahead of Brandon Johnson. Yet, he makes big plays. He finds ways to get open. Don't underestimate him.

One more thought. Tatum is up to about 315. If his strength is up to SEC standards, his experience will help him make a significant contribution, maybe even as a starter.

Agreed, I think Tatum will finally be ready to play OT. That boy really needed a RS year. I will also be curious to know how much muscle weight Jamir Johnson puts on. He played quite well as a "stickman" among hulks last season.

Bottom Line: not only does the increased depth promote competition and improvement among players, it also gives us the much needed depth that we need to compete in the SEC. In addition to certain players checking out early last season, we also had others playing too many snaps and too tired/beat up due to lack of quality depth.

 

[SmilezDavis]

Seems like each year there are WRs ranked ahead of Brandon Johnson. Yet, he makes big plays. He finds ways to get open. Don't underestimate him.

Your statement regarding Johnson is demonstrably false, at least regarding last season. He had 14 receptions for only 132 yards and 0 touchdowns last year. I expected more given that he had 37 receptions for 482 yards and 1 touchdown the year before. I don't know how much of that is on the QB and how much is on Johnson, but I hope his 2019 performance more closely resembles 2017 than 2018.

 

[greazy1722]

How can Brandon produce or mirror his production he had in 2017 when he was barely on the field in 2018..He went stretches where they didnt use him..

 

[greazy1722]

Pruitt thought Brandon wasnt physical enough so he came back to spring weighing 204...Second heaviest wideout behind Jennings..Brandon will contribute this season..You cant hold a man back for so long..

 

[swchandler1988]

If he weights a mere 320 !! haha ..try 350 .....

Do you stand in on his weigh ins? Huntington version of OD? What’s his favorite color?

 

[KBVol]

Seems like each year there are WRs ranked ahead of Brandon Johnson. Yet, he makes big plays. He finds ways to get open. Don't underestimate him.

One more thought. Tatum is up to about 315. If his strength is up to SEC standards, his experience will help him make a significant contribution, maybe even as a starter.

Brandon Johnson literally didn’t make a single big play last year, not one. He struggled all year long with dropped balls on his way to 14 catches for 132 yards and no touchdowns. He’s fallen down the depth chart and has been recruited over. He peaked in 2017, and there’s little to no reason to think he’ll be an impact player in 2019.