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: Tennessees 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 hasnt 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. Quarte 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 theyll employ two ends and a nose tackle. Theres still a good chance youll 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 Tennessees 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. KRojhn 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 wouldve 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 Taylors 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 wont 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 Tennessees 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 Tennessees 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 hes 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.