HooahVol
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The boys are back in town and start tomorrow. I was going to ask about key positions but found the Knoxville News Sentinel had this write up about our areas of concerns. Since I found it interesting I thought I would repost here.
Tennessee football carries concerns into spring practice. But which position could keep Josh Heupel up at night?
Hint: There’s more than one.
On this episode of "The Volunteer State," hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams rank the Vols' biggest worries. Thankfully, quarterback isn’t one of them. But there are reasons for anxiety at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive secondary and more.
UT spring practice starts Friday. The Vols will hold 15 practices, ending with the Orange and White spring game on April 12. During that stretch, they must search for answers to their positional problems.
To hear the full breakdown, listen to the podcast.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Here's the ranking from the least concerning position to the most concerning position, as well as a few highlights.
Key returning players: Peyton Lewis, DeSean Bishop.
Notable newcomers: Star Thomas (Duke transfer), Daune Morris (4-star freshman), Justin Baker (3-star freshman).
Replacing Dylan Sampson, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, is a tall order. But Sparks and Adams agree that Heupel's offense always produces rushing yards, regardless of who is carrying the ball.
That's why this potential position problem is manageable. Sparks said he's eager to see how quickly Thomas, the Duke transfer, works into the rotation in spring practice.
Key returning players: Edwin Spillman, Jordan Burns.
Notable newcomers: Jaedon Harmon (4-star freshman), Jadon Perlotte (4-star freshman), Brenden Anes (3-star freshman).
Adams said the UT linebacking corps needs a difference-maker rather than just solid players. Carter could develop into that type of player, but Sparks thinks Spillman could make the biggest jump in spring.
3. Defensive backs (rising concern)
Returning starters: CB Rickey Gibson (plans to enter portal), CB Jermod McCoy (torn ACL), S Andre Turrentine, DB Boo Carter.
Key returning players: Jalen McMurray, Kaleb Beasley, Jakobe Thomas, Edrees Farooq, John Slaughter, Christian Charles, Jourdan Thomas (recovering from 2024 injury).
Notable newcomer: CB Tre Poteat (4-star freshman).
Gibson plans to enter the transfer portal, but that could be a negotiating tactic for a better NIL deal. Sparks thinks the secondary could be solid with Gibson but in trouble without him.
Adams thinks the secondary was already in a weakened position because of McCoy's ACL tear. Beasley could be a player to watch in spring practice.
Key returning players: William Satterwhite, Jesse Perry, Larry Johnson, Gage Ginther, Max Anderson, Shamurad Umarov, Ayden Bussell, Bennett Warren, Trevor Duncan.
Notable newcomers: OG Wendell Moe (Arizona transfer), G/C Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame transfer), OT David Sanders (5 star freshman).
This is a potential problem just by sheer numbers. The offensive line must replace four starters, and returning starter Lance Heard struggled last season.
Sparks believes Moe could be UT's best offensive lineman at guard, and he likes that there are so many options at the other positions. That's why Sparks is a little more optimistic about reloading this position.
Adams thinks the x-factor is whether Sanders, the five-star recruit, can start immediately as a freshman.
Key returning players: Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley
Notable newcomers: Amari Jefferson (Alabama transfer), Travis Smith (4-star freshman), Radarious Jackson (4-star freshman).
Sparks sees two potential issues at wide receiver: (1) No proven elite receiver (2) No depth.
Matthews, the former five-star recruit, probably has the best chance to be UT's No. 1 receiver. But the Vols must replenish the unit overall, likely in the portal following spring.
Adams said UT should've gotten an elite receiver in the portal in the winter window. And he's not sure that the Vols currently have a wideout that scares opponents.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Tennessee football carries concerns into spring practice. But which position could keep Josh Heupel up at night?
Hint: There’s more than one.
On this episode of "The Volunteer State," hosts Adam Sparks and John Adams rank the Vols' biggest worries. Thankfully, quarterback isn’t one of them. But there are reasons for anxiety at wide receiver, offensive line, defensive secondary and more.
UT spring practice starts Friday. The Vols will hold 15 practices, ending with the Orange and White spring game on April 12. During that stretch, they must search for answers to their positional problems.
To hear the full breakdown, listen to the podcast.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Here's the ranking from the least concerning position to the most concerning position, as well as a few highlights.
5. Running backs (manageable concern)
Returning starters: None.Key returning players: Peyton Lewis, DeSean Bishop.
Notable newcomers: Star Thomas (Duke transfer), Daune Morris (4-star freshman), Justin Baker (3-star freshman).
Replacing Dylan Sampson, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, is a tall order. But Sparks and Adams agree that Heupel's offense always produces rushing yards, regardless of who is carrying the ball.
That's why this potential position problem is manageable. Sparks said he's eager to see how quickly Thomas, the Duke transfer, works into the rotation in spring practice.
4. Linebackers (moderate concern)
Returning starters: Jeremiah Telander, Arion Carter.Key returning players: Edwin Spillman, Jordan Burns.
Notable newcomers: Jaedon Harmon (4-star freshman), Jadon Perlotte (4-star freshman), Brenden Anes (3-star freshman).
Adams said the UT linebacking corps needs a difference-maker rather than just solid players. Carter could develop into that type of player, but Sparks thinks Spillman could make the biggest jump in spring.
3. Defensive backs (rising concern)
Returning starters: CB Rickey Gibson (plans to enter portal), CB Jermod McCoy (torn ACL), S Andre Turrentine, DB Boo Carter.
Key returning players: Jalen McMurray, Kaleb Beasley, Jakobe Thomas, Edrees Farooq, John Slaughter, Christian Charles, Jourdan Thomas (recovering from 2024 injury).
Notable newcomer: CB Tre Poteat (4-star freshman).
Gibson plans to enter the transfer portal, but that could be a negotiating tactic for a better NIL deal. Sparks thinks the secondary could be solid with Gibson but in trouble without him.
Adams thinks the secondary was already in a weakened position because of McCoy's ACL tear. Beasley could be a player to watch in spring practice.
2. Offensive line (big concern)
Returning starter: LT Lance Heard.Key returning players: William Satterwhite, Jesse Perry, Larry Johnson, Gage Ginther, Max Anderson, Shamurad Umarov, Ayden Bussell, Bennett Warren, Trevor Duncan.
Notable newcomers: OG Wendell Moe (Arizona transfer), G/C Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame transfer), OT David Sanders (5 star freshman).
This is a potential problem just by sheer numbers. The offensive line must replace four starters, and returning starter Lance Heard struggled last season.
Sparks believes Moe could be UT's best offensive lineman at guard, and he likes that there are so many options at the other positions. That's why Sparks is a little more optimistic about reloading this position.
Adams thinks the x-factor is whether Sanders, the five-star recruit, can start immediately as a freshman.
1. Wide receiver (enormous concern)
Returning starter: Chris BrazzellKey returning players: Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley
Notable newcomers: Amari Jefferson (Alabama transfer), Travis Smith (4-star freshman), Radarious Jackson (4-star freshman).
Sparks sees two potential issues at wide receiver: (1) No proven elite receiver (2) No depth.
Matthews, the former five-star recruit, probably has the best chance to be UT's No. 1 receiver. But the Vols must replenish the unit overall, likely in the portal following spring.
Adams said UT should've gotten an elite receiver in the portal in the winter window. And he's not sure that the Vols currently have a wideout that scares opponents.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Emailadam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
