One of the amazing things about college sports; the entire roster is going to turn over in the time it takes a kid to get a college degree.
Key players who have to move on after this season:
- Hendon Hooker (QB)
- Princeton Fant (TE)
- Jerome Carvin (OL)
- LaTrell Bumphus (DL)
- Solon Page (LB)
- Trevon Flowers (S)
- Paxton Brooks (P/PK)
- Chase McGrath (P/PK)
Key players who don't have to, but very well may leave for the draft:
- Cedric Tillman (WR) -- (I think he still has his "covid eligibility" left, but may choose to go pro)
- Jacob Warren (TE) -- (ditto)
- Byron Young (DL) -- (ditto)
- Jeremy Banks (LB) -- (ditto)
There could be others in that second group. Impossible to read the lads' minds. Those just seem a few of the most likely to feel heavy pressure to declare.
...
As you can see, it's actually not too bad. We get hit heavy in two position groups: tight end, and kickers. Plus losing our starting QB is always a significant transition (though the QB room looks very healthy). Other than that, we're okay. We are positioned to continue to succeed, from one end of the field to the other.
2023 should not be about rebuilding. Just reloading. As long as we get the QB transition right.
Go Vols!
