QUARTERBACK
Scholarship
Jarrett Guarantano - 6-4, 213, RSR
JT Shrout - 6-3, 213, RSO
Brian Maurer - 6-3, 193, SO
Harrison Bailey - 6-5, 211, FR
Jimmy Holiday - 6-0, 190, FR
Walk-on
Kasim Hill - 6-2, 234, RJR
Michael Bittner - 6-2, 208, RFR
Steven Orr - 6-2, 194, RFR
Spencer Smith - 6-1, 199, RFR
It's safe to say that the quarterback position is a deeper position than it was last year. Going into next season, there's at least a solid case that Jarrett Guarantano will be the second-best quarterback in the SEC East behind Florida's Kyle Trask. Shrout and Maurer both got meaningful playing time and even starts under their belt in 2019, so the Vols will have one of the most experienced quarterback rooms in the SEC. Harrison Bailey is a highly regarded quarterback recruit who helped to lead the resurrection of the Marrieta football program as a Georgia state power. Jimmy Holiday is a ridiculously fast athlete with a capable arm and his passes don't tend to hang in the air even if they aren't necessarily the prettiest balls you'll ever see. Kasim Hill brings Power 5 starting experience to the walk-on group, but he hasn't shown a lot of signs so far that he's likely to be more than a scout team quarterback.
RUNNING BACK
Scholarship
Carlin Fils-aime - 5-11,180, RSR
Ty Chandler - 5-11, 201, SR
Tim Jordan - 5-11, 203, SR
Eric Gray - 5-10, 195, SO
Tee Hodge - 6-1, 220, FR
Jabari Small - 6-0, 195, FR
Len'Neth Whitehead - 6-2, 230, FR
Walk-on
James Christian - 5-8, 204, RSR
Chip Omer - 6-0, 204, RSR
Cameron Miller - 5-10, 206, RSO
Fred Orr - 5-11, 200, RFR
Camryn Beckwith - 5-9, 188, FR
Tennessee has been struggling to build quality depth at running back for a while now, especially when it comes to finding a bigger back or two. Well, mission accomplished with Hodge and Whitehead. Jabari Small is a somewhat similar player to Eric Gray, who exploded late in 2019 for the Vols. Chandler's big-play ability will always keep him getting carries, but he's far from a grinding back. Tim Jordan is willing to fight for tough yards, but he lacks explosiveness. Fils-aime has major speed and is a decisive one-cut runner, but his lack of weight has always limited his touches. Orr, Omer, and Miller didn't play much last year, but the trio averaged 6.2 yards per carry in their limited opportunities.
WIDE RECEIVER
Scholarship
Brandon Johnson - 6-2, 195, RSR
Velus Jones Jr. - 6-0, 190, RSR
Josh Palmer - 6-2, 195, SR
Deangelo Gibbs - 6-1, 200, RJR
Cedric Tillman - 6-3, 211, RSO
Ramel Keyton - 6-2, 189, SO
Isaiah Montgomery - 6-0, 207, RFR
Jimmy Calloway - 6-0, 207, FR
Jalin Hyatt - 6-0, 164, FR
Walk-on
Tanner Dobrucky - 5-9, 189, RJR
Grant Frerking - 6-5, 207, RJR
Richard Mize Jr. - 5-10, 176, RJR
Braden Collins - 6-2, 195, RSO
Miles Jones Jr. - 5-8, 175, RSO
JT Siekerman - 5-10, 179, RSO
The Vols have an interesting mix of experience and newfound talent in this group for the coming season. Their trio of seniors have combined career totals of 162 receptions for 2,124 and 5 touchdowns. The rest has combined for a total of 9 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown, all of that coming from Tillman and Keyton. There is good news, however. Gibbs has been touted as arguably the best athlete among the receivers in practices and it has been suggested that he may have star potential at the position. Calloway and Hyatt have speed to spare, especially Hyatt, who has been timed electronically at a 4.31 40-yard dash. Calloway is plenty fast but he's got some wiggle in his play. The walk-ons haven't played too much, and even those who have played have yet to record a reception.
TIGHT END
Scholarship
Austin Pope - 6-4, 235, RSR
Princeton Fant - 6-2, 232, RJR
Jacob Warren - 6-6, 241, RSO
Sean Brown - 6-5, 241, RFR
Jackson Lowe - 6-4, 249, RFR
Walk-on
Hunter Salmon - 6-5, 239, RFR
So far, it's all subtraction and no addition to this position group. The Vols could probably land some help in the transfer portal, but realistically their forays into the portal for wide receiver and offensive line help has pretty much closed that door unless there's room left in the class that we don't know about. The good news is that Austin Pope is an experienced option at tight end, even if he's not necessarily a guy whose receiving numbers jump out at you. He's probably the best blocker outside of the offensive line, so he'll be tough to knock out of the starting job. Fant and Warren are still developing as blockers, but they are pretty good receiving options. The Vols haven't gotten much of a look at Brown or Lowe outside of practice, but there's plenty of reason to believe both could make major strides this offseason.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Scholarship
Brandon Kennedy - 6-3, 301, GR
Jahmir Johnson - 6-5, 290, RSR
Riley Locklear - 6-4, 286, SR
Trey Smith - 6-6, 325, SR
K'Rojhn Calbert - 6-5, 330, RJR
Jerome Carvin - 6-5, 313, JR
Cade Mays - 6-6, 318, JR
Ollie Lane - 6-4, 308, RSO
Wanya Morris - 6-4, 313, SO
Darnell Wright - 6-6, 330, SO
Chris Akporoghene - 6-3, 296, RFR
Jackson Lampley - 6-4, 318, RFR
Cooper Mays - 6-3, 283, FR
James Robinson - 6-4, 343, FR
Javontez Spraggins - 6-3, 352, FR
Walk-on
Dawson Stephens - 6-1, 306, RSR
Jarious Abercrombie - 6-4, 310, RSO
Airin Spell - 6-1, 293, RSO
Parker Ball - 6-4, 284, RFR
Dayne Davis - 6-7, 330, RFR
James Parsons - 6-5, 300, RFR
Good news: if the Vols are able to get Cade Mays eligible, they will have one of the most talented offensive lines in the SEC, not to mention fairly experienced. That group would be checking in at an average of 6-5, 317 pounds of former 4 and 5-star talents. The bad news is that a couple of very experienced offensive linemen have already transferred out of the program in Ryan Johnson and Marcus Tatum, and that's left things relatively thin for tackle depth. Calbert and Johnson can play guard or tackle, and Carvin can play guard or center, so there is some versatility with some of the more experienced interior linemen. Morris and Wright should prove all but impossible to unseat by the end of the offseason.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Scholarship
Ja'Quain Blakely - 6-2, 284, RSR
Emmit Gooden - 6-3, 290, RSR
LaTrell Bumphus - 6-3, 273, SR
Matthew Butler - 6-4, 285, SR
Darel Middleton - 6-7, 311, SR
Aubrey Solomon - 6-5, 299, SR
Savion Williams - 6-4, 304, SR
John Mincey - 6-3, 271, JR
Greg Emerson - 6-3, 309, RSO
Kurott Garland - 6-3, 304, RSO
Kingston Harris - 6-3, 306, RSO
Elijah Simmons - 6-2, 340, RFR
Dominic Bailey - 6-3, 293, FR
RJ Perry - 6-6, 299, FR
Omari Thomas - 6-4, 306, FR
Walk-on
Gatkek Kueth - 6-2, 253, RJR
Isaac Green - 6-0, 260, RFR
Going into last season, there was only one guy on the roster with significant experience. Going into next season, just during their time at Tennessee the defensive line will carry into next season a combined 252 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. Then, just for good measure, a pair of 4-star defensive linemen join the mix along with the freakishly sized Perry. Simmons has the potential to be a massive run-stuffing nose guard coming off his redshirt season, but it's probably fair to suggest that he's going to have a battle on his hands to break into the rotation. That's true of the freshmen as well, but knowing this staff, the best players will play and there are plenty of options.
LINEBACKER
Scholarship
Jordan Allen - 6-4, 238, RSR
Deandre Johnson - 6-3, 246, SR
Kivon Bennett - 6-2, 248, RJR
Solon Page III - 6-2, 218, RJR
JJ Peterson - 6-2, 233, RSO
Quavaris Crouch - 6-1, 246, SO
Roman Harrison - 6-2, 234, SO
Henry To'o To'o - 6-2, 232, SO
Tyler Baron - 6-5, 256, FR
Bryson Eason - 6-2, 270, FR
Martavius French - 6-2, 227, FR
Morven Joseph - 6-2, 220, FR
Tamarion McDonald - 6-2, 199, FR
Walk-on
Bryan Aiken - 6-4, 260, RFR
Matt Ballard - 6-0, 229, RSR
Deonte Beauchamp - 6-1, 241, RFR
Nyles Gaddy - 6-4, 231, RSO
Nick Humphrey - 6-1, 213, RJR
Ethan Rinke - 6-3, 239, RFR
West Shuler - 6-1, 227, RFR
The good news is the Vols only lost two linebackers. The bad news is those two linebackers were Daniel Bituli and Darrell Taylor, who had a combined 384 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, 1 interception, 13 passes defended, 8 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick. As good as some of the talent returning is, to suggest the Vols will be able to easily replace these two is ludicrous. In fact, a combination of players will likely have to get that job done. I also think running a lot more base nickel defense is possible given that there are only 13 linebackers on the roster but a plethora of defensive linemen. To'o To'o is the top dog in this group, but Bennett may well be the next big star given his strong finish to the season. One or more of the incoming freshmen may be called upon to be a major contributor or even to start.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Scholarship
Baylen Buchanan - 5-11, 196, RSR
Kenneth George Jr. - 5-11, 201, RSR
Theo Jackson - 6-2, 190, SR
Shawn Shamburger - 5-11, 187, SR
Cheyenne Labruzza - 5-11, 185, RJR
Trevon Flowers - 5-11, 193, JR
Alontae Taylor - 6-0, 193, JR
Bryce Thompson - 5-11, 181, JR
Brandon Davis - 5-10, 160, RSO
Aaron Beasley - 6-1, 212, SO
Warren Burrell - 6-0, 176, SO
Jaylen McCollough - 6-0, 204, SO
Kenney Solomon - 6-0, 168, SO
Tyus Fields - 5-10, 186, RFR
Kwauze Garland - 6-1, 190, RFR
Keshawn Lawrence - 6-2, 202, FR
Doneiko Slaughter - 6-0, 185, FR
Walk-on
Garrett Johnson - 5-11, 179, RJR
Jake Powers - 6-0, 198, RJR
Jay Shoop - 6-1, 194, RJR
Romello Edwards - 6-0, 187, RSO
Tyrik Stewart - 6-0, 190, RFR
The departure of Nigel Warrior is a big one, but the Vols have plenty of experience in the secondary. As a group, they return 22.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 44 passes defended, 12 interceptions, 5 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, but they also add a couple of very nice talents in Lawrence and Slaughter. Lawrence is versatile enough to play corner, safety, or even receiver, not to mention his talents as a punt returner. Slaughter is a brutal tackler who can play safety or nickel. The good news is really neither of them should have to play right away, so if either one plays next season, it means they're simply one of the best available. Taylor and Thompson are budding stars at corner, and McCollough may be the next great Tennessee safety if he continues to develop like he did last year over the course of the season.
SPECIALIST
Scholarship
Brent Cimaglia - 6-0, 210, SR
Paxton Brooks - 6-6, 194, JR
Will Albright - 6-1, 213, FR
Walk-on
Luke Lynn - 5-9, 160, RFR
Matthew Salansky - 5-11, 225, RFR
Marshall Ware - 5-10, 175, RFR
Toby Wilson - 5-10, 174, RSO
Jake Yelich - 6-2, 233, RSR
Joe Doyle's transfer leaves a bit of work to do sorting out certain things, not to mention the graduation of Riley Lovingood. Finding a new long snapper and holder will be the main priority because the punter and placekicker are plenty settled. Brooks has no real competition at the moment for the punting duties, and Cimaglia is one of the better placekickers in the country. Albright will get a fair shake at winning the snapping duties, but don't be surprised if Yelich's experience wins out and lands him the gig.
Something to keep in mind is that this list of players includes 89 scholarship players, 4 over the roster limit. Tennessee will need more transfers to get under that limit, and they'll need six in order to take a full 25 initial qualifiers this cycle. One thing Tennessee has always been able to manage is clearing out space on the roster for bigger and better things, and it's unlikely they'll suddenly forget how to clear room in the class. I simply say this to let everyone know this roster is far from final, but it's how the roster looks based on what we know right now.
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