I've talked about some of the new bodies coming in this summer, but this list has a specific requirement. Only blueshirts or 3-star additions can qualify, with a possible preferred walk-on or two appearing on the list.
"*GASP* Walk-ons?!?! How bad is the roster? The depth chart must be awful! 5 wins at most!"
Not at all, ladies and gents. Tennessee just happens to have added some surprisingly solid walk-ons this cycle at areas where opportunities for playing time may exist. It's not a doom-and-gloom addition to the list; it's a testament to the quality of walk-on and the quality of the players themselves.
UNDER THE RADAR BUT READY TO HELP
Aaron Beasley - I know where he's going to start out his time at Tennessee, but I don't know if I'm convinced that's where he's going to stay. Safety is pretty loaded for the Vols, and running back got thin fast this spring with a couple guys out. If you weren't aware, Beasley was pretty darn good on both sides of the ball. As a junior and senior, he had a combined 120 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries on defense and ran for 3,710 yards and 52 touchdowns on offense. A bigger safety and running back at 6-1, 210, he fits what the staff would like on both sides of the ball. Ultimately it's likely that they will see how he does on both sides of the ball and then determine where he can help out the most in 2019. Short of him being out of shape, it's hard to envision a player with his versatility failing to see the field in some capacity.
Sean Brown - Tight end was a position that Pruitt singled out after the spring game, feeling that group didn't give him enough over the course of spring. With two really emerging as playmakers at a position where they would prefer to have 3-4, the big-bodied Brown is almost a shoo-in to play this season. Brown and early enrollee Jackson Lowe come in with the kind of fanfare that followed the duo of Ethan Wolf and Daniel Helm. Although Wolf and Helm didn't end up doing it together at the same school, the two ultimately combined for 166 receptions for 1,800 and 13 touchdowns. It's not necessarily a stretch to think these two have similar potential. Brown is more of a blocker than a receiver, but he's a capable receiver as well. Brown will play. I don't doubt that for one second.
Devon Dillehay - Dillehay isn't likely to find his way into the defensive rotation in 2019, but special teams could be a different story. A safety-turned-linebacker, he was ridiculously productive for Northeast High in Clarksville, stuffing the stat sheet with 239 tackles, 73 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, an interception, and three blocked kicks (2 punts, 1 field goal) in his two years since moving to linebacker. He's the type of player who flies all over the field at 6-2, 210 with the speed to help immediately on coverage units.
Jerrod Means - Wide receiver may seem like a tough spot to break into the rotation, and that's true enough. However, Means might be the most intriguing addition the Vols made last cycle. A player who was probably on his way to a much higher ranking by the recruiting services before losing half his senior campaign due to injury. Before getting hurt, he had racked up 19 receptions for 460 yards and 6 touchdowns, an explosive follow-up to his 400+ yards and 5 touchdown junior campaign. Means reportedly ran a 4.4-range forty during a camp with the Vols at over 210-pounds. He's little more than a downfield threat right now, but with his size and speed, he could be turned to when the Vols need a deep-threat on the edge.
Darel Middleton - Tennessee could stand to add to the depth on the defensive line, and Middleton is one of the JUCO summer additions there who might very well be able to contribute early. He's going to stand out on the defensive line as it currently stands, a solid two or so inches taller than everyone else in that group. Although he will need to add some strength this summer, his length and quick first step will give him a very good shot to find a role in the rotation at either end position.
Fred Orr - Remember me talking about running back being a potential need? Well, Tennessee did add a 2-star walk-on running back who set records during his high school career at Rossview and Northeast High Schools in Clarksville. He finished his career with 3,525 rushing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry, also adding on 64 receptions for 770 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also handled kick returns, taking one back for a touchdown. Orr has good size at 5-11, 195 and has good balance with solid power and decent speed. Personally, I think he's somewhat similar to Tim Jordan but he sailed under the radar more than Jordan, in part because he split the workload as a senior with Air Force-bound Tyrique Freeman. How good is Orr? Well, he was #2 in rushing yards and touchdowns, #1 in receiving yards, and their leader in kickoff and punt return yardage, ending up as their leader in all-purpose yardage. If Beasley sticks on defense, keep an eye on Orr to see if he jumps ahead of older walk-ons in the pecking order.
Ethan Rinke - Every now and then, a player with an FBS recruiting profile will opt to walk-on with the school of their choice. Rinke turned down offers from lower-tier FBS programs in order to be a Vol, and this decision may prove to work out well for both sides. Rinke was productive as a senior, recording 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries. He also has good size at 6-4, 240, which should open the door for him to try and remain primarily a pass rusher at outside linebacker or bulk up and move to the defensive line in Tennessee's base 3-4. Tennessee would love to find additional depth at both spots, and Rinke, while not an elite athlete, has a high motor and will certainly be given every opportunity to make an impact. At worst, high energy players can often find a home on special teams.
Kenney Solomon - Tennessee has a couple of strong rising sophomore cornerbacks, but depth at the end of spring was more than a little lacking at the position. Warren Burrell, a true freshman, put his stamp on a backup job, but with Tyus Fields hurt, Kenneth George Jr. in some off-field trouble, and the other real options an inexperienced duo, one of which is a former high school linebacker, true corners are more than welcome as Tennessee found themselves moving guys from nickel and safety to fill in at corner. Solomon is a corner, through and through. He's also a high school track star, but his speed is just a bonus considering he ran the ball, caught the ball, returned kicks and punts, and excelled on defense for Socastee High. Solomon averaged 3 interceptions per season in high school despite not being targeted particularly often, generally keeping him fresh to barely ever come off the field as he starred in every facet of the game. He also has excellent size at 6-0, 170, so the Vols will no doubt give him every opportunity to earn a slot in the rotation at corner.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Bryan Aiken - A long outside linebacker/defensive end option. The Vols are looking for help there, so he's at least coming in at an area of opportunity.
Parker Ball - An excellent two-sport athlete, he'll likely need to add weight before being able to challenge anyone at center. However, there might be an avenue as a long snapper since the Vols weren't sharp there this spring.
Anthony Harris - Very likely makes this list but for one major issue: this blueshirt candidate is far from a guarantee to qualify and enroll.
Melvin McBride - Certainly got consideration at an area of need on the offensive line, but as a player who has only played two seasons of football, he's likely going to need time to develop.
Elijah Simmons - Very athletic for his size, but likely to need to trim weight before becoming a regular contributor. That said, the depth at nose tackle is lacking and he may have to play regardless of readiness.
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