Freshmen by the numbers

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NCAA Football: Utah State at Tennessee
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Saying there were a lot of new faces on the field for Tennessee Sunday night is a bit of an understatement. Officially, 32 players made their debut in orange, including 21 true freshmen. Want some perspective? Previously, the most freshmen to debut in a season opener for the Vols was 12 (2010 and 2011). A few notes about the starters:

  • Ethan Wolf became the first true freshman ever to start at tight end for the Vols in the history of the program.
  • Jashon Robertson became the fourth true freshman in Tennessee history to start on the offensive line in a season opener.
  • Derek Barnett became the first true freshman in Tennessee history to start a season opener on the defensive line.

Here’s the full list of those 21 freshmen, followed by the other 11 newcomers who made their debut Sunday night.

FRESHMEN (21)

  • #1 Jalen Hurd (Came in on third down of first possession. He had 11 carries for 31 yards and caught two passes for 16 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown.)
  • #3 Josh Malone (Caught two passes for 26 yards.)
  • #6 Todd Kelly Jr. (Recovered a fumble in the first quarter and recorded two tackles.)
  • #7 Rashaan Gaulden (Recorded one tackle.)
  • #9 Derek Barnett (Started at DE)
  • #12 Emmanuel Moseley (One tackle)
  • #17 Dillon Bates (Three tackles)
  • #20 Cortez McDowell
  • #25 Aaron Medley (Made one field goal and five extra points)
  • #29 Evan Berry
  • #41 Elliott Berry
  • #53 Colton Jumper
  • #55 Coleman Thomas
  • #8 Dewayne Hendrix (One tackle)
  • #73 Jashon Robertson (Started at RG)
  • #40 Dimarya Mixon
  • #4 Vic Wharton
  • #2 D’Andre Payne (One tackle)
  • #80 Daniel Helm (One catch)
  • #82 Ethan Wolf (Stared at TE)
  • #72 Michael Sawyers

OTHER NEWCOMERS (11)

  • #5 Ryan Jenkins
  • #9 Von Pearson (Started at WR. Finished with three catches for 27 yards and a TD.)
  • #13 Patrick Ashford
  • #24 Michael Williams (Started at CB)
  • #60 Austin Sanders
  • #31 Justus Pickett (Carried the ball four times for 11 yards)
  • #42 Chris Weatherd (One tackle)
  • #58 Owen Williams
  • #48 Alex Ellis
  • #59 Matt Giampapa
  • #63 Brett Kendrick

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