The Vols have to replace their quarterback from last year in Hendon Hooker, but with Joe Milton III, that’s somehow not a position battle to pay attention to for Tennessee Football in fall camp. Here are the five biggest preseason position battles on Rocky Top to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.
Defensive tackle
Omari Thomas has one defensive tackle spot locked up, and Tyler Baron and Roman Harrison have the end spots locked up for now. However, the other defensive tackle spot is a question. Will Bryson Eason take the job? What about Arizona State Sun Devils transfer Omarr Norman-Lott? how big of a threat is Elijah Simmons, Tyre West or Kurott Garland?
Slot receiver
Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton have the two wideout spots on lock. Squirrel White was the star last year in the slot behind Jalin Hyatt, but Tennessee Football then added Oregon Ducks transfer Dont’e Thornton. Who wins the job in the slot between the two of them? White held on in spring ball, but fall camp could be a different story.
Left guard
Jerome Carvin is gone. Cooper Mays is still there at center, and Javontez Spraggins is still there at right guard, but left guard is a major question now. With the expectation that Addison Nichols will be able to back up Mays at center, UT needs an answer at left guard. Could it be Texas Longhorns transfer Andrej Karic, veteran Ollie Lane or somebody else?
Left tackle
By moving Gerald Mincey and Jeremiah Crawford over to right tackle to replace Darnell Wright, the Vols have to find a new left tackle. Could Miami Hurricanes transfer John Campbell Jr. be the guy? Is there a chance Mincey or Crawford moves back over to that side? Will somebody we don’t yet know about take over that spot?
Cornerback
Everybody is back at cornerback, but Tennessee Football was so bad there that both positions and the nickel should be wide open. Safety should be fine with Jaylen McCollough back and Wesley Walker taking over for Trevon Flowers, but the cornerback spots should all be up for grabs.
